Alamogordo NM
10-04-2025 12:09pm

State Job Training Funds Target 225 Workers Across New Mexico

More than 200 New Mexicans are set to receive job training support this fall through a state-backed initiative aimed at boosting workforce skills and expanding local employment. The New Mexico Economic Development Department confirmed that its Job Training Incentive Program (JTIP) will reimburse up to $2.2 million in wages for 225 trainees employed by 12 companies statewide.

The program, which pays companies back for at least half of trainee wages, is designed to encourage hiring from underserved communities and recent graduates of New Mexico colleges. Reimbursement rates are higher for rural employers and internships, with funds distributed only after training is completed.

The September round of awards reflects a diverse mix of industries—from quantum computing and cybersecurity to modular housing and onion processing. Companies receiving support are located in Santa Teresa, Albuquerque, Taos, Roswell, Los Alamos, and Santa Fe.

Santa Teresa: Manufacturing and Packaging Surge

Three companies in Santa Teresa, a growing industrial hub near the border, received substantial awards:

• Franklin Mountain Packaging will train up to 46 workers with $533,537 in support. The company specializes in sustainable packaging.

• Oro LLC, which processes bulb onions for bulk shipment, was awarded $247,904 to train 32 workers.

• Admiral Cable, a Taiwanese manufacturer of power cables, will train 12 employees with $53,703 in support.

Albuquerque: Tech and Clean Energy

Four companies in Albuquerque received funding:

• Quantinuum, a global quantum tech firm, will train two employees at $65/hour with $71,478 in support.

• Gridworks, a solar utility company, received $9,718 to train five workers through the Step Up program.

• Securin, a cybersecurity firm, will train three interns at $26/hour with $39,780 in support.

• Turquoise Skies, a jewelry manufacturer, will train nine workers with $53,025 in funding.

Taos: Solar and Personal Care

• Humble Brands, known for natural deodorants and soaps, will train one worker with $18,140 in support.

• Paradise Power Company (PPC Solar) received $8,420 to train nine employees through Step Up.

Other Locations: Housing, Tech, and Agriculture

• BiltWise Structures in Roswell received the largest award—$974,802 to train 100 workers in modular home construction.

• UbiQD in Los Alamos, a quantum dot manufacturer, will train five workers with $135,095 in support.

• RefractAR in Santa Fe, a studio focused on augmented reality and immersive tech, will train one worker with $20,178.

State officials say the program is a key tool for economic development, helping companies scale while building a skilled local workforce. Cabinet Secretary Rob Black said the initiative “creates pathways to prosperity” by aligning business growth with community investment.

For more information on JTIP and future funding rounds, visit the New Mexico Economic Development Department website.

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