Taking to heart its state motto “crescit eundo” or “it grows as it goes,” New Mexico sees an opportunity for growth by embracing broadband. According to a report released by the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions, the state foresees an employment boom for administrators, engineers, heavy equipment operators, electricians and accountants, all of whom have skills that will foster the state’s broadband development plans.
As the Albuquerque Journal reports, New Mexico is aware that there are still many locations without reliable digital connectivity. “We have real gaps in connectivity,” confirmed Sarita Nair, Secretary for the Department of Workforce Solutions. “It’s a real challenge for our state to modernize.”
Nair said that the disparity between the rural, urban, and tribal parts of the state mean that some populations are still unserved. She noted that up to 16 percent of state residents, approximately 143,000 people, are either unserved or underserved. Extending connectivity to these areas will not only help outlying communities, it is also expected to provide opportunities to urban centers which could extend services to these people via electronic interaction.
“Broadband is a growing career field that will need a trained and skilled workforce for years to come. Because internet connectivity is needed for every aspect of modern life, jobs will be available in every community from rural to urban to support the new infrastructure,” noted Acting Broadband Director Drew Lovelace in a statement.
Lovelace explained: “The investments that government and industry make into New Mexico’s broadband workforce will be the foundation for New Mexico’s economy of tomorrow. It is exciting to see the cooperation developed between the [Office of Broadband Access and Expansion], DWS and industry. We cannot wait to see the results in the coming years.”
New Mexico had one of the lowest workforce participation rates in the country in 2023, according to the Albuquerque Journal. It is the state’s hope that through digital outreach, the Department of Workplace Solutions will continue to open up new job possibilities for its residents.
“When we do projects like this, part of what we’re trying to do is get people excited about the future they can have in an industry,” said Nair. “And that’s another reason why I think broadband is going to be really valuable. It’s going to bring people into the workforce who maybe didn’t really understand what their path would be beforehand.”
Reader Interactions