U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham

From the Office of Michelle Lujan Grisham:

• Preparing New Mexicans for the high-paying jobs of the future

ALBUQUERQUE – U.S. Rep. and gubernatorial candidate Michelle Lujan Grisham has released her Workforce Training and Development Policy.

“As governor, my focus will be creating and building upon economic opportunities for New Mexico. That means fighting to create better-paying jobs, ensuring we keep the jobs we have, and making the investments necessary to remain competitive in our changing, global economy. We are hard-working, talented people and our state’s quality of life makes New Mexico an ideal place to run a business, build a life, and raise a family,” Lujan Grisham said. 

Lujan Grisham’s plan to lower New Mexico’s unemployment rate includes steps she will take as governor in both the near and long-term. The plan focuses on building a skilled and adaptable workforce that’s ready to succeed and grow the economy.

As governor, Lujan Grisham will work with industry, educators, and community leaders to:

1. Create a system that is responsive to employers’ current and future economic needs by establishing a skills training system that solicits input and support from every part of our economy.

2. Create a System of Lifelong Learning by embracing both formal and informal environments as well as self-directed learning.

3. Make Community Colleges an Essential  Driver of Workforce and Economic Development by developing stronger, centralized programs and resources that allow community colleges to match industry needs and provide real pathways.

4. Grow and Expand Apprenticeship Programs by directing state funds to establish new and grow existing apprenticeship programs.

5. Remove Barriers to Employment and Training by doing the following:

• Streamline our existing infrastructure and delivery system. Using the Working Families Success Network as a model, we will work to integrate, bundle and sequence complementary services and support in three key areas: financial coaching and education, employment, and improved access to public benefits.

• Improve access to childcare by linking childcare agencies to workforce development activities that will lead to employment.

• Implement programs to address long-term unemployment.

• Implement work-share programs that benefit not only the employer and the employee but also the entire state. Workshare gives businesses the option of reducing the hours and wages of their employees rather than laying them off.

• Make the system more accountable and fairer.

6. Stop New Mexico’s Brain Drain by working with the legislature to take aggressive steps to retain and attract recent graduates.

“By working together to implement this plan, we can develop the kind of strong, skilled workforce that is the foundation of any healthy economy. As governor, I will work to ensure that every New Mexican who wants a job can find one, and every business that needs an employee can find the right person,” Lujan Grisham said.

Read the full policy here.