Workforce Development Division

Workforce Development Division’s Goal:  Assist low income New Mexicans to achieve self sufficiency by providing the tools, such as training, work experience, supportive services, etc. to aid in the development of a trained and skilled workforce. 

The Workforce Development Division provides job training, job placements, education, and supportive services. 

Our yearly objective in support of our New Mexico communities is to provide services to 5,553 individuals and/or families.  Specifically, we plan to assist

(1)       491 individuals improve their skills or job status through job training activities.

(2)       2,582 individuals improve on their current skills for their job and/or to increase their skills in order to advance in their present or future occupation by providing for educational opportunities, and

(3)       2,130 individuals and/or families with employment and training supportive services which will help them continue attending training, help them get books or materials they may need for training. i.e. lab coats or tools, food or help with utilities, etc., and  emergency assistance.

Services are provided through our six Regional offices located in Albuquerque, Espanola, Gallup, Las Cruces, Las Vegas, and Roswell and statewide satellite offices.  To determine which programs/services are offered out of which regional/satellite office, please refer to the office page by clicking on the Location tab.

Our objectives are accomplished through the various programs the WDD administers (some statewide and some only in specific counties) such as:

The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)  provides work readiness training along with supportive services with the goal of helping low income and farmworker families reach a higher level of self-sufficiency. CSBG funds are also utilized to help individuals and families who need emergency services. The goal of the program is to provide services to eligible low-income individuals and families to improve the communities in which they live.

The National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP)  provides training and job development to farmworkers so that they can secure employment and attain higher wages. The purpose of this migrant seasonal farmworkers program is to strengthen the ability of eligible migrant and seasonal farmworkers and their families to achieve economic self-sufficiency.

The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Youth Program   provides year-round assistance to youth between the ages of 14 and 21 in training, education and work experience. This program provides training and job development so that they can secure employment and attain higher wages.

The Emergency Food and Shelter Program helps meet the needs of hungry and homeless people in Rio Arriba, Taos and Colfax counties for the provision of food and shelter.

The Foster Grandparent Program and Senior Companion (FGP and SCP) provides opportunities for low-income persons age 55 or over to provide supportive one-on-one community services to children who are at-risk or have special needs (physical, mental or emotional).  The SCP program assists adults, especially older persons having exceptional needs, developmental disabilities or other special needs for companionship, in an effort to maintain their independent living.

The Heat Stress Initiative provides support for the creation and dissemination of information for preventing heat stress in targeted occupations.

The ESCALERA Program helps Latino youth graduate from high school, prepare them for college and assist them to make informed career plans.  Activities provided include career exploration, college preparatory courses help with standardized pre college tests, mentoring and exposure to occupations, internships and academic and educational activities. 

YouthBuild is a program that offers Rio Arriba County 16-24 year old out-of-school youth the opportunity to earn a high school diploma or GED, prepare them for post secondary education and apprenticeship programs and receive training in the building construction industry.  Activities for this program include Individual Assessment, Mental Toughness Orientation, GED tutoring and testing, leadership development, post-secondary education instruction, including “hands on” training in the area of building construction and participation in a Habitat for Humanity Building Project.

The Residential Energy Assistance Challenge Program (REACH)  assists low-income, vulnerable families living in rural New Mexico that use propane and wood burning stoves to meet their home heating needs. Vulnerable families are considered those with children, individuals with disabilities or chronic illness and the elderly.