Fabric test and production pods at Green Theme Technologies. Courtesy/EDD

Integrated Passive Device Matching Network from 3D Glass Solutions. Courtesy/EDD

EDD News:

SANTA FE — Nine companies were awarded funding for a total of 120 new trainees during the July meeting of the Job Training Incentive Program (JTIP) Board, Economic Development Department (EDD) Cabinet Secretary Alicia J. Keyes announced Tuesday.

Five of the JTIP applications were for new funding and four were amendments to previously awarded amounts, due to high rate of job expansion. The average wage of trainees at the July 17 meeting was $19 an hour.

New jobs were created in industries everywhere from gourmet foods to engine manufacturing. Companies receiving JTIP funds show the growing diversification of the New Mexico economy, an important factor in healthy economic growth, especially during recovery from COVID-19 health emergency.

​”These are good-paying jobs from a successful state program I have pushed hard to expand and improve,” Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said. “Workers in our state deserve every opportunity to get in the door, to get ahead, and to have stable fulfilling opportunities. I will continue to fight for that every single day.”

“New Mexico has a robust pipeline of businesses looking to expand in the state and relocate here,” Cabinet Secretary Keyes said. “We know JTIP and other assistance helps businesses bring new and higher paying employees on board, sooner and with more confidence.”

JTIP funds classroom and on-the-job training for new jobs in expanding or relocating businesses for up to 6 months. The program reimburses 50-75% of employee wages. These trainees can be new employees, or those currently employed looking for higher-wage promotions. These funds are specifically set aside by the Legislature each year and can only be used for the purpose of the JTIP program.

Companies receiving July 2020 JTIP Funds:

3D Glass Solutions (3DGS), Inc. (Albuquerque), 1 trainee. 3DGS has received JTIP funding on eight prior occasions. They have developed a proprietary glass ceramic material to make semiconductor chips that are more powerful, efficient, and cheaper to produce then traditional chips. To date, they have used JTIP funding to create 31 jobs, including 16 with raises or promotions within the company. Award Amt: $27,453.92 (amended); Avg. Wage: $34.86.

Apple Canyon Gourmet (Albuquerque), 1 trainee. Apple Canyon manufactures specialty foods, including non-alcoholic cocktail mixes, chile sauces, grilling sauces and rubs, spices and seasoning mixes, salsa, hot sauce, pepper jellies, and soup mixes. Previously awarded funding for 3 trainees, expansion requires funding for an additional Order Fulfillment Specialist. Award Amt: $5,440 (amended); Avg. Wage: $17.00.

Cummins Natural Gas Engines, Inc. (Clovis), 2 trainees. Cummins products range from diesel and natural gas engines, to hybrid and electric platforms, as well as related technologies like battery and fuel systems, controls, air handling, filtration, emission solutions, and electrical power generation systems. They were approved for JTIP on three previous occasions and have already hired 12 new trainees and provided raises or promotions to 10 employees. Award Amt.: $11,560; Avg. Wage: $16.50.

Green Theme Technologies (GTT), Inc. (Rio Rancho), 6 trainees. GTT products are aimed at textile finishing, are environmentally friendly, and directed toward the long-term textile industry goal of ZDHC (zero discharge of hazardous chemicals). They also offer water-free dyeing and anti-microbial/anti-viral treatments for PPE. GTT received funding on one previous occasion for four new trainees. Award Amt.: $126,794; Avg. Wage: $39.27.

High Plains Processing, LLC (Las Vegas), 22 trainees. High Plains is a meat processing facility, working to provide processing services throughout Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado. This is their first JTIP application, as they have recently moved to the Las Vegas, NM location. Award Amt.: $287,298; Avg. Wage: $21,39.

KiloNewton, LLC (Albuquerque), 1 trainee. KiloNewton is a unique service-based business providing technical and engineering analysis and software design for the renewable energy sector. KiloNewton has been approved for JTIP on two previous occasions, having hired two trainees and one intern already. These funds will help train a highly skilled Senior Energy Engineer. Award Amt.: $27,089 (amended); Avg. Wage: $47.36.

Parting Stone, LLC (Santa Fe), 3 trainees. Parting Stone developed technology to transform cremated human remains into beautiful stones. Officially launched on October 1, 2019, the company is working with approximately 250 funeral homes and has seen steady sales growth. Parting Stone’s previous JTIP award allowed them to hire one new trainee, and are working to hire eight more. Award Amt.: $31,633.96 (amended); Avg. Wage: $21.81.

Reytek Equipment, LLC (Albuquerque), 5 trainees. Reytek designs and manufactures high quality, specialized cabinetry, tables, benches, and other furnishings for the pharmaceutical, medical, and semiconductor industries worldwide. This is their first JTIP application. Award Amt.: $24,920; Avg. Wage: $16.50.

Systems Integration, Inc. (SSI) (Albuquerque), 79 trainees. SSI is a provider of turnkey contact center and service desk services and solutions. The recently opened contact center in Albuquerque supports a five-year contract with TSA. SSI has been awarded a second five-year contract with TSA and will need to hire many more employees. SSI received JTIP funding on one previous occasion for 26 new trainees, 17 of which have already been hired. Award Amt.: $413,776; Avg. Wage: $16.13.