SANTA FE — More than 8,400 New Mexicans took part in workforce training, internships and apprenticeships through the state’s Workforce government Results and Opportunity Expendable Trust (GRO) initiative in fiscal year 2026, an increase of more than 2,100 students over the program’s first year, according to a new report from the New Mexico Higher Education Department.
Nearly 94 percent completed their programs.
Early wage data show participants earning more after completing their training: Commercial driver’s license participants at Clovis Community College saw average wage growth of 12.2 percent, and San Juan College participants saw average increases of 16.5 percent. Workforce GRO, a $60 million, three-year investment by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and the New Mexico Legislature, funds training for students who may not qualify for traditional financial aid but are pursuing credentials and skills tied to New Mexico’s growing economy.
This year, the department distributed $20 million to comprehensive universities, branch community colleges and independent community colleges across the state. Colleges and universities utilized almost 95 percent of the available funding, reflecting both high demand for workforce training pathways and the capacity of New Mexico’s higher education institutions to deliver impactful programs at scale.
Workforce GRO supported 841 workforce training programs, internships and apprenticeships and served a total of 8,411 students statewide.
“Workforce GRO is proving exactly what it was designed to do, open doors for New Mexicans and strengthen the state’s workforce,” said Higher Education Secretary Stephanie M. Rodriguez. “This year’s results show that our colleges and universities are delivering programs that meet real employer needs, and students are turning those opportunities into tangible skills and higher earnings.”
Since FY24, enrollment has skyrocketed by 56.3%. Completions more than doubled, showing that New Mexicans are taking advantage of the Workforce GRO program.
This year also marked an important advancement in evaluating Workforce GRO’s long term outcomes. For the first time, the department incorporated administrative wage matching in partnership with the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions.
“Offering classes like Pediatric Advanced Life Support and the Crisis Prevention Institute are extremely beneficial to me as a student,” said Dulce Torres a non-credit GRO student at the New Mexico State University Alamogordo training program. “It helped with my conflict resolution, improved my communication, enhances safety, not just for the patients but also provides safety to us as nursing students. This really helped me improve my confidence when attending my clinical rotation in behavioral health.”
Across the initial analysis, 67 percent of participants with classifiable wage outcomes experienced wage increases. By the end of calendar year 2026, nine colleges and universities are expected to have wage-matching results for further review by the department.
The fiscal year 2026 report also highlights how higher education institutions across New Mexico are putting Workforce GRO resources to work on their campuses. Colleges and universities detailed programs that respond directly to regional workforce needs, including training in commercial driving, health care and skilled trades that support local employers and strengthen community capacity.
A full overview of outcomes demonstrates clear progress toward the initiative’s goals: widening access to training, supporting program completion, strengthening talent pipelines and offering early indicators of employment and wage gains. Additional information on these findings is available in the annual Workforce GRO report.
This year's GRO report is available on the New Mexico Higher Education Department website. To learn more about the department, visit hed.nm.gov.