Somos Accionistas descended on the Capitol on Immigrant & Worker’s Day of Action and attended multiple legislative hearings to advocate for more workforce development and skills-building opportunities for low-wage, rural, and immigrant workers.
Our members experience many barriers to participating in traditional workforce development programs. For more than a year, we’ve been making a strong case for improved on-ramps to these programs in order to access quality jobs.
What did we win this session?
$5 million for NM’s Adult Education Division to expand integrated education and skills building programs for “disengaged and difficult to reach” adult workers. This funding will be far more flexible than current federal dollars and will allow for more innovative initiatives and work with mixed status families.
HB 303, sponsored by Rep. Linda Serrato (D-Santa Fe), creates a $1 million 3-year pilot to provide monthly cash stipends to low-income workers enrolled in adult education and integrated education programs. This bill is first-of-its-kind legislation in the nation! Read more about HB 303 here. Signed March 6, 2024
