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.
Business Spotlights
Ms. Lopez, One-Stop Operator for NMWC spoke with Ms. Wise-Surguy, Board Chair and Co-Founder of Cruces Creatives. Ms. Wise-Surguy shares the services she received from New Mexico Workforce Connection Southwestern region.

Cruces Creatives is a non-profit makerspace committed to fostering economic development, furthering education, supporting the arts, protecting the environment, strengthening social connections, and advancing science and technology in Doña Ana County, New Mexico, by connecting people with the tools, training, and community to make practically anything.


Click the link below to watch the interview on YouTube.
Ms. Dow, Founder and Volunteer Ambassador for AppleTree Education, spoke with Darleen Lopez, the NMWC One-Stop Operator, about her experiences with New Mexico Workforce Connection.

AppleTree participated in several Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs. Youth gained work experience at AppleTree Education and the Youth Services program paid the wages for the youth participants. AppleTree also participated in the On-the-Job Training program when they hired staff and cost-shared the employee's wages during the training period.

Click the link below to hear the interview on YouTube.
Graduate Spotlight
The Tuition Assistance program at New Mexico Workforce Connection helped Ms. Medina attend and graduate from New Mexico State University.
Youth Services Spotlight
Mr. Trujillo is a student at Western New Mexico University. Through Paid Online Training offered at New Mexico Workforce Connection, he is gaining life skills that are preparing him for today's workforce, and earning incentives he can put towards paying his tuition expenses.
SW Region Dislocated Worker Town Hall
New Mexico Workforce Connection Southwestern Region hosted its first Town Hall on January 22, 2021 via Zoom.

At this Town Hall, the region's experts provided information on training programs and other services available to assist workers who have been laid off.
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.
New Mexico Workforce Connection
Services
To learn more about what New Mexico Workforce Connection can do for you,
visit our website at

New Mexico Workforce Connection Offices
While all New Mexico Workforce Connection offices are closed due to the Governor's stay-at-home order, staff are available by phone Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (except holidays). Contact the New Mexico Workforce Connection nearest you.

ONE-STOP OPERATOR UPDATES
Workforce Center Status

All New Mexico Workforce Connection offices are labeled as Restricted Access. They are currently closed to the public with limited or no staff in some locations. We will review Public Health Order updates in February and re-evaluate partner staffing in the offices. We are still providing ALL available services except the resource room (computers) and are willing to accommodate those with extenuating circumstances. 
 
Our centers answered and assisted individuals on over 2,617 calls in January. Like the Unemployment Insurance center, we receive a high volume of calls each day and have limited staff to answer calls.

Our message to the public, we appreciate your patience as we do our best to deliver virtual services and prepare to go back to the offices when we can SAFELY serve you. 
Services Provided in January 2021
During the month of January 2021, New Mexico Workforce Connection in the Southwestern region staff saw that 576 new individuals registered in the New Mexico Workforce Online System. Services were provided to 1,696 individuals, 175 résumés were added, and 892 services were provided to employers.


Source: New Mexico Workforce Connection Online System
BY THE NUMBERS
Funds Invested by Program
The WIOA Adult & Dislocated Worker programs funded by the Southwestern Area Workforce Development Board provide individuals with career and participant training services that lead to obtaining credentials and work experience for career opportunities. The New Mexico Workforce Connection centers offer the services year around.
Regional Unemployment
December 2020
(Not Seasonally Adjusted)
Catron County: 67 unemployed
Doña Ana County: not available at this time
Grant County: 986 unemployed
Hidalgo County: 104 unemployed
Luna County: 1,464 unemployed
Sierra County: 328 unemployed
Socorro County: 406 unemployed


Source: NMDWS Employment News Release, January 26, 2021
MONTHLY NEWS RELEASES
NMDWS Employment News Release
January 26, 2021
New Mexico’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 8.2 percent in December 2020, up from 7.2 percent in November and up from 4.8 percent in the previous year. The national unemployment rate in December was 6.7 percent, unchanged from the rate in November and up from 3.6 percent in December 2019..

NMDWS Labor Market Review
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 and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release: December 2020
In December, unemployment rates were lower in 19 states, higher in 12 states and the District of Columbia, and stable in 19 states. Nonfarm payroll employment increased in 15 states, decreased in 11 states, and was essentially unchanged in 24 states and the District.

BEA News: Personal Income and Outlays
December 2020
Personal income increased 0.6 percent (monthly rate) while consumer spending decreased 0.2 percent in December as many provisions of the CARES Act continued to wind down before the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act was enacted on December 27, 2020. Additionally, new restrictions and closures took effect in some areas of the United States.

VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS
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.
February Meetings
Friday, February 5, 2021 - SAWDB Board Meeting
Monday, February 8, 2021 - Monitoring Committee Meeting
Friday, February 12, 2021 - Special One-Stop Committee Meeting
Tuesday, February 23, 2021 - Special Outreach Committee Meeting
March Meetings
Friday, March 19, 2021 - Region IV, Chief Elected Officials Meeting
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