Rob Black, Cabinet Secretary-Designate | New Mexico Economic Development Department
The New Mexico Economic Development Department has approved support for 307 trainees at 12 companies through its Job Training Incentive Program (JTIP) in June and July, allocating more than $3.6 million in potential funding.
For fiscal year 2025, JTIP awarded funds to 60 companies across the state. The program provided training assistance for up to 1,238 workers, with an average wage of $25 per hour. Of these, 820 trainees were located in rural communities and earned an average wage of $21 per hour. The state also supported training for 38 interns.
“Each year we see the JTIP program expand in both reach and impact,” said EDD Cabinet Secretary Rob Black. “More and more companies are taking advantage of these funds that help keep and grow jobs in New Mexico.”
In June, there was increased use of the department’s Step Up initiative, which focuses on upskilling current employees so they can advance within their organizations. That month, six companies received JTIP approval—including three under Step Up—with a total allocation of over $2.2 million for up to 224 trainees.
The start of fiscal year 2026 includes funding for up to 83 trainees from seven companies; one company is participating through Step Up. In July, the JTIP Board approved more than $1.4 million in funding.
Most businesses receiving awards during this period operate in science and technology fields as well as food and hospitality, advanced manufacturing, and creative industries—sectors identified by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham as priorities for economic growth.
JTIP reimburses at least half of trainee wages for up to six months when companies expand or hire new employees within New Mexico. Higher reimbursement rates are available for jobs based in rural or frontier areas, high-wage positions, recent graduates from New Mexico institutions, and other categories considered high-impact.
