Local controls contractor asks Pueblo for help to expand apprenticeship, housing for FAME trainees

Fernando Medina, owner and president of Global Controls Colorado, told the Pueblo City Council on Sept. 15 that his company is building an apprenticeship pipeline tied to FAME (the Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education) and asked the city for help renovating two apartments at 400–408 West Northern Avenue, funding security upgrades and backing accreditation and academic pathways to CSU Pueblo.

Medina said the apprenticeship program pairs the FAME model — two days in school and three days on the job — with employer-paid IEC electrical training so graduates can move toward journeyman status. "I've been in Pueblo for over 20 years," Medina said, describing the company’s local work and its demand for trained technicians. He said Global Controls already employees two apprentices who are on that pathway and that the business pays for their schooling.

Why it matters: presenters said the work aims to keep high-paying, technical trades jobs in Pueblo by training residents in building automation systems (BAS) — integrated controls for HVAC, lighting, security and energy management. Medina said aligning FAME with BAS could create local jobs that might otherwise go to large national firms.

Details of the proposal and program: Global Controls asked the council to consider assistance to: renovate two small apartments the company owns to provide stable housing for apprentices; underwrite security upgrades after repeated vandalism at the Northern Avenue site; and support FAME accreditation and academic links so students could continue at CSU Pueblo in engineering and related fields.

Presenters outlined how the apprenticeship is funded and how students participate. Medina and other presenters said: apprentices attend classes at Pueblo Community College and work with Global Controls during the week; employer contributions pay for IEC schooling and some scholarships have paid tuition for the current apprentices for the 2025–26 school year. Councilors pressed for detail during Q&A: one councilor cited a first-year beginning wage of about $17 per hour for a new apprentice and heard that some journeyman-level workers on local projects are earning roughly $20 per hour plus fringe. The presenters said fringe benefits run roughly 25% on top of hourly wages and that apprentices typically work between about 28 and 40 hours a week, with class days scheduled so students continue formal instruction.

Partnerships and contractors: Medina listed current industry relationships and local partners, saying Global Controls installs BAS equipment and works with mechanical contractors (including Rocky Mechanical), national OEMs on projects and local educational partners. The presenters said they use a BAS product called Computrols and described the national BAS market as large and growing; they urged Pueblo to develop local capacity so the city can compete for projects.

Council reaction and next steps: Council members praised the training approach and asked for follow-up on possible city support. No formal vote or appropriation was recorded; Medina said he had come primarily to introduce the company and seek help where available. Council staff offered to provide contacts for college and workforce programs and to follow up on options for the requested housing and security assistance.

Ending: Medina said Global Controls plans to remain in Pueblo and expand its apprenticeship program if the city and partners can help secure housing, security and accreditation pathways for students.