Sue Anne Athens

The meeting includes several action items, such as the review and approval of the Wildland Firefighter and Wildland Fire Management Officer series class studies, the Tax and Revenue Representative and Supervisor, Tax Reevaluation studies, and the FY27 salary structure aging adjustment. The Board will also initiate rulemaking for various NMAC sections and consider an appointment to the New Mexico Retiree Health Care Authority. Additionally, the agenda features an executive session for administrative adjudicatory deliberations regarding specific employee appeals against the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department and the New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department, along with a general SPO update.

The board meeting agenda includes reports from various committees, including Policy, Business Engagement, Education and Workforce, Data and Performance, and a Participant Enrollment Ad-Hoc committee. Additionally, the meeting will cover updates from the Department of Workforce Solutions regarding legislative matters, the annual report for Executive Order 2024-152, and the Workforce Pell initiative.

The meeting included committee updates, reports on the Climate Ready and Infrastructure Workforce initiative, and an overview of the federal Workforce Pell grant program. The board discussed aligning workforce definitions across state departments, identified challenges regarding program eligibility, and explored the implementation of pilot programs for Workforce Pell. Additional topics included potential board membership, future meeting locations, and the success of a recent workforce conference.

The board meeting centered on the discussion of proposed updates to the 2026-2027 state plan modification. Key agenda items included a review and summary of public comments, where clarifications were requested regarding provider supply and agency collaboration. Additionally, operational updates were provided, focusing on alignment with the state's talent strategy, organizational name changes, and the integration of new workforce systems. Reports were presented on sector-based approaches, improved coordination across core programs, and updates to state-level administrative policies.

The New Mexico Combined State Plan, a two-year modification for Program Years 2026-2027, establishes a strategic vision for a coordinated and streamlined workforce system. The plan is designed to empower New Mexicans with meaningful jobs, ensure employers access skilled talent, and prepare the state for evolving economic landscapes. Its four primary goals include: collaborating with employers to expand the workforce in critical areas such as healthcare, first responders, early childhood education, construction, broadband, and natural resource management; developing a resilient workforce adept at navigating changes in technology and the economy, encompassing energy transition, climate resilience, aerospace, biosciences, intelligent manufacturing, and sustainable agriculture; increasing labor force participation and economic prosperity for disengaged and difficult-to-reach populations; and attracting and retaining talent within New Mexico, with a particular focus on rural communities. This comprehensive strategy emphasizes collaborative efforts and data-driven approaches across sectors to foster sustained economic growth and individual well-being.