It is declared to be the policy of this act [50-7-1 to 50-7-4, 50-7-7 NMSA 1978]: to encourage the development of an apprenticeship system through the voluntary cooperation of management and labor and interested state agencies, and in cooperation with other states and the federal government; to provide for the establishment and furtherance of standards of apprenticeship to safeguard the welfare of apprentices; and to aid in the maintenance of an adequate skilled labor force.
NMS § 50-7-1