Up to $15,000 available to unemployed workers to reskill and upskill
(Albuquerque, NM) – Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding of $5,000 to $15,000 per individual is available to unemployed workers for skill-building stackable certifications and degrees needed for careers in demand within healthcare, information technology, construction trades, education and more.
Facilitated by the New Mexico Workforce Connection, WIOA funding is primarily used to pay for costs associated with obtaining a certificate or degree and can cover high school equivalency (GED) testing, college tuition, supplies, or gas reimbursement. In addition, funding is available for on-the-job training experiences such as a covering wages for a temporary internship or the materials/tools needed for an apprenticeship.
“A little education and training can go a long way in helping New Mexicans gain the skills and credentials to step into in-demand jobs in growing industries, many with higher pay, than those they had before the pandemic,” said State Workforce Board Chair Tracey Bryan. “Not all industries will come back as quickly as others, but there are employers hiring candidates with the right skills, credentials, and degrees right now. The Workforce Connection system is the perfect ‘bridge’ and support system to help our people recover from the pandemic and come out stronger than before.”
Each area of the state offers specific programs that unemployed workers can take advantage of including short-term (12-weeks or less) information technology bootcamps in the central area; short-term certificates to bachelor degrees in healthcare careers in the Southwest; alternative teaching certifications in the East, and funding for apprenticeship training for high-demand jobs at Los Alamos National Laboratory in the North.
Individuals interested in adding credentials to their resume and/or advancing towards a new career path through training simply need to complete a two-step process. The first step to accessing WIOA funding and services is to register within the New Mexico Workforce Connection Online System at www.jobs.state.nm.us.
The second step is to contact their local New Mexico Workforce Connection (https://www.dws.state.nm.us/en-us/Office-Locations). In addition to exploring WIOA services, individuals can receive assistance to apply for jobs online, access labor market information, complete interest assessments, create or update their resume, or prepare for an interview.
Additional information about WIOA, including eligibility can be found on the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions website https://www.dws.state.nm.us/en-us/Job-Seekers/Job-Preparation/Training-and-Education.
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