Welcome to the monthly e-newsletter for
New Mexico Workforce Connection - Southwestern Area
New Mexico Workforce Connection is the region's workforce expert, helping hundreds of employers connect with thousands of job seekers each year. We offer innovative solutions to assist businesses with their success in today's highly competitive workforce while providing the tools job seekers need to find or advance in their current career.
ONE-STOP OPERATOR UPDATES
New Mexico Workforce Connection is Providing
In-Person Services
We are pleased to announce that New Mexico Workforce Connection has opened most locations for walk-in services. You can now come in and visit us or use our resource rooms at the following locations:
(Reminder, unemployment insurance benefits are managed by the Department of Workforce Solutions in Albuquerque through the toll-free number 1-877-664-6984 and not at local New Mexico Workforce Connection centers)

Doña Ana County
226 S. Alameda Blvd, Las Cruces, NM 88001

Grant County
420 W. Broadway St., Silver City, NM 88061

Luna County
322 E. Oak St., Deming, NM 88030

Sierra County
601 Sunset St., Truth or Consequences, NM 87901


The offices that remain open by appointment-only are:
Doña Ana County
1500 Appaloosa Dr., Ste. A-160, Sunland Park, NM 88063

Socorro County
109 Faulkner Rd., Socorro, NM 87801
New 800 Number for Employment Services
Through this number, you can find help on-the-spot with no wait or transfers necessary. Our live agents will start the process of determining what we can do to help and connect you to the right resources either at the time of your call, or at a later time that works best for you. Give it a try: 1-800-303-3599

The services we can provide in the offices are limited to employment services such as job search, résumé assistance, activities related to training programs, and job placement programs. There are a few unemployment related services that we can help with, but we strongly encourage customers to go online to call first to make an appointment so that they can ensure they will get the services they need. 
 
All other inquiries on unemployment must still be routed through the UI call center which has reached a very good response rate at this time. Callers can rest assured that calls are now getting through. Some tips like avoiding the day after a holiday, Mondays and early mornings are some ways to improve chances of getting through. 
 
Visit ReadyNM 
 
Unemployment Insurance 1-877-664-6984
ReadyNM 1-80​0-303-3599
IN-PERSON JOB FAIR
YOUTH SERVICES
New Mexico Workforce Connection has services for youth both in-school (ages 14-21) and out-of-school (ages 16-24). Youth can get tutoring, job readiness training, paid work experience, and more.
TUITION ASSISTANCE
Going to school? New Mexico Workforce Connection has a Tuition Assistance program that can assist with books and other materials needed to complete your degree.

Hurry! You must qualify before classes begin.
FOR VETERANS
On April 1, 2021, the Department of Veterans Affairs expanded opportunities for some veterans by making a major change to their education benefits. Veteran Affairs has a 48-month rule for education programs like the post-9/11 GI Bill. Veteran entitlement used in the Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR & E) program will no longer effect the 48-month rule.
NEW MEXICO WORKERS' COMPENSATION ADMINISTRATION
Employers: Be A Return-to-Work Champion
Stand out in this job seeker market and be recognized as a Return-to-Work (RTW) Champion by the State of New Mexico Workers’ Compensation Administration.
Establish yourself as a family-friendly business while, retaining your recovering workers. As the WCA RTW Specialist for the southern region, Ms. Valdez can help you meet "RTW Best Practices," which she will continue to highlight for each edition of this e-newsletter. Keep reading each month for additional RTW help.

RTW Best Practice # 2 – Establish a written Return to Work policy. Don't be intimidated by the word “policy.” What we are talking about is a simple one-pager of "need-to-know" points for recovering workers to help them navigate a confusing and vulnerable time.
HOT JOBS
Each week, New Mexico Workforce Connection Business Consultants create a Hot Jobs video highlighting newly posted vacancies from employers in the Southwestern region who are eager to hire.

The Hot Jobs videos can be found on the EmployNM YouTube Channel.
Job opportunities can be found at the New Mexico Workforce Connection Online System (NMWCOS) with job description information and how to apply.

Employers, if you would like your opportunities to appear in a Hot Jobs video, click
the button below to Post Jobs.
LEARN MORE ABOUT
NEW MEXICO WORKFORCE CONNECTION
New Mexico Workforce Connection
Services
To learn more about what New Mexico Workforce Connection can do for you,
visit our website at

www.EmployNM.com
New Mexico Workforce Connection
Offices
New Mexico Workforce Connection offices are providing in-person services at some locations and services by appointment-only at others. Staff are also available by phone. Regular business hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (except holidays) and closed 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. for lunch. Contact the New Mexico Workforce Connection nearest you.
MONTHLY NEWS RELEASES
NMDWS Labor Market Review: May 2021
The New Mexico Labor Market Review (LMR) presents the most up-to-date labor market highlights and happenings. The LMR is produced and published monthly and includes data on the labor force, jobs, and unemployment for the state and select substate areas.
BLS State Employment Situation
(Monthly) News Release: June 2021
Total nonfarm payrollemployment rose by 850,000 in June, and the unemployment rate was little
changed at 5.9 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Notable job gains occurred in
leisure and hospitality, public and private education, professional and business services, retail trade, and
other services.
NMDWS Monthly Employment
News Release: June 2021
New Mexico’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 7.9 percent in June 2021, unchanged from the rate in May and down from 9.8 percent in June 2020. The national unemployment rate in June was 5.9 percent, up from 5.8 percent in May and down from 11.1 percent in June 2020. Total nonagricultural payroll employment grew by 32,100 jobs, or 4.2 percent, between June 2020 and June 2021.
BLS State Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release: June 2021
In June, unemployment rates were lower in 7 states and the District of Columbia, higher in 3 states, and stable in 40 states. Nonfarm payroll employment increased in 25 states, decreased in 1 state, and was essentially unchanged in 24 states and the District.
VIRTUAL EVENTS
New Mexico Workforce Connection offers FREE weekly virtual workshops for employers, job seekers, and the general public. Click on any icon below for more information about that workshop.
Softskills in the Workplace
Tuesdays 9am - 11am
Résumé Skills
Wednesdays 9am - 11am
Interview Skills
Thursdays 9am - 11am
UPCOMING MEETINGS
for the
Region IV, Chief Elected Officials and the
Southwestern Area Workforce Development Board & Committees
Due to unforeseen circumstances, meeting date and/or venue can change.
Please visit our website for the latest updates.
August Meetings
• Monday, August 9, 2021 - Monitoring Committee Meeting
• Monday, August 9, 2021 - Special Outreach Committee Meeting
• Thursday, August 12, 2021 - SAWDB Board Meeting
SURVEY
Please Provide Your Feedback
This is the fourth issue of the New Mexico Workforce Connection Southwestern Area e-newsletter. Please take a moment to share your thoughts about the content and suggestions for future topics.

We appreciate your support.

Have a great day!
WIOA Title I-financially assisted programs and activities are an Equal Opportunity Employer/Program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Relay New Mexico: 711 (Voice) or 1-800-659-8331 (TTY).
FUNDED BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Southwestern Area Workforce Development Board
PO Box 1072, Elephant Butte, NM 87935