Rob Black, Cabinet Secretary-Designate | New Mexico Economic Development Department
The New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD) has announced that its job training program will provide up to $4.6 million in funding for 12 companies. This initiative aims to support the training of 252 workers across various sectors.
According to EDD, the October approvals from the Job Training Incentive Program (JTIP) represent a significant increase compared to the previous three months combined, particularly in terms of total dollars awarded. The department attributes this rise to businesses seeking to hire more employees and a shift toward higher-paying jobs, especially in science and innovation fields.
The statewide average hourly wage for fiscal year 2026 is $26.61, but jobs funded through this month’s awards have an overall average wage of $35.51, with a range between $19 and $61 per hour.
EDD Cabinet Secretary Rob Black stated, “This month’s applications are a great snapshot of the breadth of our industries in New Mexico. We’re supporting jobs in every sector, including science, manufacturing, aerospace, interactive media, agriculture, and more.”
The JTIP program reimburses part of trainees’ salaries as an incentive for company growth and relocation within New Mexico. It also helps companies develop a workforce suited to their needs and can enhance their eligibility for other incentives like High Wage Job and Rural Job tax credits.
Both large and small businesses were included among those receiving awards this month.
