The New Mexico Worker Equity Initiative (NMWEI) aims to create a more equitable, human-centered workforce development ecosystem by bringing together workforce development and worker rights advocates and practitioners, including leaders of community-based organizations serving Indigenous, immigrant, Black, Latino, and Pacific Islander (AAPI) New Mexicans, as well as state agency workforce and economic development leaders to share promising practices, policies, and partnerships that can drive systems change. Through the generous support of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the NMWEI is led by the New Mexico Community Foundation, driven by a committee of leaders from 16 organizations and supported by National Skills Coalition.
To strengthen career and education pathways, equitable economic security, and build the capacity of workforce providers in New Mexico, the NMWEI committee offers actionable strategies to advance an equitable workforce development ecosystem. Recommendations and ideas for workforce system transformations that center the expertise and lived experience of workers, community based-organizations, Tribal Nations, worker rights organizations, and other trusted partners in the community are offered to align with New Mexico’s vision for an inclusive and equitable economy.
In addition, the initiative seeks to expand the cross-sector understanding of the public funding streams available and the various siloed systems that can support workers and learners to increase access to high-quality training and education pathways that lead to quality jobs. The project has also highlighted who is accessing (and not accessing) these systems, and the multi-faceted factors that contribute to inequitable outcomes for workers in the state. There has also been a deep dive into the racial and economic inequities faced by many Tribal and rural communities, and opportunities ahead as New Mexico transitions to a green economy. The NMWEI meetings facilitate and promote peer-learning, trust-building, and strategic collaboration among the participants and guests.
For more information, contact:
Nelsy Dominguez, nelsy@c3perspectives.com, or Nakeisha Ricks-Pettyjohn, nakeishar@nationalskillscoalition.org
Empowering Change: How an Initiative in New Mexico is Redefining Workforce Equity
This blog focuses on a reform presented in NSC's WIOA recommendations: incorporating workers’ voices into state workforce systems, plans, and strategies. New Mexico is as an example of this approach and this blog emphasizes the New Mexico Worker Equity Initiative (NMWEI).
Read the blog
Podcast: Nuestra America
Nakeisha Ricks-Pettyjohn, Senior Fellow at NSC, discusses how to ensure equity in workforce development strategies plus federal funding opportunities for low-wage workers with partners from NMWEI.
Listen to the podcast