New Mexico Invests US$4.6 Million in High-Wage Workforce Training
The New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD) has committed up to $4.6 million to train 252 new workers at 12 companies across the state. This October allocation from the Job Training Incentive Program (JTIP) exceeds the total sum awarded in the previous three months, a surge driven by increased hiring in high-paying sectors, particularly science and technology.
The newly funded positions are notably high-wage, averaging $35.51 per hour compared to the statewide average of $26.61 projected for fiscal year 2026. The roles feature a wide salary range, from $19 to $61 per hour, reflecting the diverse nature of the supported industries.
The JTIP program strengthens New Mexico’s workforce by covering a portion of trainee wages, an incentive designed to spur job creation and attract new business investment. This support also helps companies enhance their specialization and can improve their eligibility for additional state programs, such as tax credits for high-wage jobs or rural employment.
Significant beneficiaries of the funding include The Boeing Company in Albuquerque, which will receive up to $1.84 million to train 56 apprentices at an average wage of $59 per hour, and Pacific Fusion Corporation, also in Albuquerque, approved for up to $1.47 million to train 46 apprentices at $61 per hour. Other major awards went to Stampede Culinary Partners Inc. in Sunland Park, which will train 82 workers with $596,000 in support; thyssenkrupp Materials NA Inc. in Santa Teresa, allocated $304,000 to train 28 employees; and Vitality Works Inc. in Albuquerque, receiving $97,000 to train 19 apprentices. Additional companies receiving support include B.PUBLIC Prefab, DeadEye Creative, GridFlow, Humble Brands, MINDSET Integrated, Passages International, and Sage Botanicals, with amounts ranging from $14,000 to $69,000.
A pillar of the state’s economic development strategy for over 40 years, the JTIP program is designed to boost the competitiveness of New Mexico’s workforce through technical training and the promotion of innovation in strategic sectors like advanced manufacturing, aerospace, energy, and biotechnology.
