Glen Gamache

This document outlines the New Mexico Division of Vocational Rehabilitation's (NMDVR) State Plan for Vocational Rehabilitation and Supported Employment services. It details the agency's goals and strategies for ensuring equitable access and participation for individuals with disabilities, focusing on improving employment outcomes. Key priorities include addressing barriers identified through a statewide needs assessment such as transportation, limited broadband, and lack of service providers, enhancing services for students with disabilities, fostering innovation, and strengthening partnerships with various agencies and employers. The plan also emphasizes continuous personnel development and outreach to unserved or underserved populations.

Key discussions included the proposed DWS 25-002 Local Governance Policy concerning Local Elected Official (CEO) composition and waiver processes, which was postponed due to missing policy language. Committee updates covered the Policy Committee's work on local governance alignment, the Business Engagement Committee's focus on employer value and sector representation, and the Education & Workforce Committee's review of workforce re-engagement strategies, federal veteran advocacy, streamlining credential approvals, and the formation of an advisory board for the federal Workforce Pell program. NMDWS updates detailed legislative session outcomes, including new recurring state funds for technology, one-time appropriations for various programs, the establishment of the Office of New Americans as a permanent division, and additional seeding for the Workforce Development and Apprenticeship Trust Fund. Furthermore, the Board discussed modifications to the 2024-2027 WIOA State Plan, emphasizing alignment with the federal America's Talent Strategy's Five Pillars, with final submission to the Department of Labor scheduled for April 30, 2026, following a public comment period.

This document describes the Fiber Optic Technician Pre-Apprenticeship Opportunity Program, which aims to train individuals for in-demand roles in the broadband industry. The program provides comprehensive training and multiple certifications, including FOA basic, splicing, testing, and outside plant, emphasizing hands-on learning. Key objectives include meeting employer needs for skilled technicians, promoting career advancement for participants, and supporting the deployment of new technologies to connect communities, particularly for New Mexico residents through available scholarships.

This document outlines the Building, Energizing, and Connecting through Apprenticeships (BECA) program, a new initiative by the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions. The plan focuses on expanding and creating Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) and Pre-Apprenticeship (PA) programs in high-demand infrastructure and clean energy industries. Key priorities include providing support and incentives for participants and employers, increasing outreach and recruitment, and engaging diverse partners to foster program growth. The overarching vision is to build a highly skilled workforce, increase access to quality jobs for New Mexicans, particularly underrepresented groups, and enhance employer recruitment and retention.

The meeting included the welcome of a new board member, Commissioner Cerna from Lincoln County, although technical difficulties temporarily prevented him from speaking. The primary discussion involved a presentation on the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) initiative, which measures financial hardship for working households above the federal poverty level but below the cost of living. Key data points shared indicated that 46% of New Mexicans fall into the ALICE designation. The presenters detailed the ALICE household survival budget components, such as housing, childcare, and healthcare costs, noting that the underlying data is from 2023. Discussion also covered how the ALICE data can be leveraged for workforce development, including identifying communities for partnership and supporting career pathways. Future plans involve financial empowerment centers, financial coaching pilots, and leveraging data to inform policy change, particularly concerning food insecurity, with a focus on future advocacy efforts.