SANTA FE – New Mexico’s workforce development programs for adults grew significantly statewide in the most recent fiscal year, according to data from the Adult Education Division of the New Mexico Higher Education Department.
In Fiscal Year 2025, statewide enrollment in the Integrated Education and Training (IET) system increased by almost 50 percent over the previous year, with a total of 787 enrollees. Those students earned 487 industry-recognized certificates in high-demand fields, a year-over-year increase of 44 percent.
IET, offered by 19 adult education agencies throughout the state, is a critical resource for adults looking to jumpstart their careers or change career paths. IET offers adult learners the chance to improve academic skills while also earning an industry-recognized credential in a high-demand field.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has prioritized the expansion of IET programs statewide. In late 2024, dozens of new workforce training programs were approved primarily at community colleges, funded by a recurring legislative appropriation of $2 million each year over the next three fiscal years.
“The state’s investment in IET is paying big dividends,” said Dr. Amber Gallup, director of the Adult Education Division of the Higher Education Department. “More and more New Mexicans are taking advantage of the opportunity to make a new start for themselves and their families.” IET coursework is a catalyst to a new career, a new educational journey. Providing New Mexicans with broader opportunities to support their families and communities will continue to be our north star at the Adult Education Division.”
The IET programs incorporate rigorous academic skills development alongside workforce preparation and training in priority workforce sectors, including infrastructure, clean energy and child care occupations. IETs also help adults improve their English language proficiency in the context of career training.
The program is comprised of 40 active programs for the current year and 77 total approved IET programs which serve a variety of in-demand fields across the state. These include workforce training and career pathway programs in healthcare, skilled trades, construction, energy, transportation, public safety, culinary arts, entrepreneurship and workplace literacy designed to prepare individuals for in-demand jobs.
“IET is about equity,” said University of New Mexico-Taos IET instructor Nina Bar Giron. “It’s about supporting all of our learners in their educational and career goals. The most rewarding moments for me as an adult educator in the IET classroom are when I see students gain confidence in their abilities. Sometimes our students are the first in their families to earn any kind of academic credential, and it’s so moving to see their entire family show up to the end-of-semester celebration.”
IET student Nicole Marcus said IET instructors’ passion for the health care profession was inspiring.
“I was grateful for their rallying to make sure we all understood the material and made it through the semester,” said IET student Nicole Marcus. “It felt like family in the classroom, the lab and during clinicals. I admire my instructor’s diversified approach to teaching us how to grasp different learning concepts, retain material and build life skills in general. She helped me personally explore several styles of not taking, which supported me throughout the semester.”
New Mexicans interested in learning more about a nearby IET program are encouraged to visit this webpage.
To learn more about IET programs near you, visit hed.nm.gov or contact the Adult Education Division at 1 (833) 675-1437.