In 2023, the North American Intelligent Manufacturing Initiative (NAIMI) was awarded a $300,000 grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration to help advance a strong cybersecurity and Information Technology (IT) workforce in the electric grid and advanced manufacturing sectors in northern New Mexico.
“Having an available workforce is an essential element in attracting businesses and manufacturers to New Mexico. We see this as an opportunity to help build New Mexico’s economy and ensure that students have employment opportunities that allow them to stay here,” said Dr. Thomas Bowles, Executive Director of NAIMI. The work performed under this grant will help to develop the workforce that meets the needs of businesses and industry to ensure they see the value of working in northern New Mexico and providing high-tech, high-wage jobs.”
NAIMI’s work on the grant will include extensive data collection and assessment of companies and organizations to understand their qualification needs for employees and identify the conditions (incentives, tax benefits, etc.) needed to attract and grow business. NAIMI will also work with local educational institutions to better understand courses, certifications, and degrees, help them plan to better connect with employer needs, and connect them with resources available for training and education. The project outcome will be an opportunity roadmap for job creation, workforce training, and program development to grow a strong workforce in New Mexico.
The FBI Infragard program and the NM Cybersecurity Act have highlighted the need for an increased cybersecurity workforce. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects “information security analyst” as the 10th fastest-growing occupation over the next decade. The majority of these (entry to mid-level) positions do not require certifications and allow employers to cast a wider net for candidates. According to the Bureau, the expected job growth in cybersecurity is 35 percent from 2021 to 2031, an increase of 56,500 jobs at an average annual salary of $102,600.
Build to Scale Project Updates
Since the initiation of the Build to Scale Project, NAIMI has connected with numerous colleges and universities in central and northern New Mexico to learn more about their technical program offerings related to job creation in the cybersecurity and information technology fields. In addition, we are collaborating with economic development and trade organizations to gather data from local organizations, to understand their current and future employment workforce needs, as well as the required education and skills in key technical areas.
On November 14, 2025, NAIMI hosted a collaborative workshop that brought together leaders in higher education, economic development, policy, and local business to discuss concrete ways to cultivate talent and create quality jobs for New Mexicans. Click here to view the workshop agenda and materials.
Common themes that we heard during the day and during the workshop breakouts included the following:
- Many businesses, especially small and medium-sized ones (SMBs), face challenges affording their Cybersecurity and IT needs due to limited budgets, rising costs, and the complexity of modern technology. These constraints can lead to underfunding crucial areas, including data protection, outdated software, and a lack of in-house Cybersecurity/IT expertise, resulting in security risks and reduced productivity.
- Industry and educational organizations can work together to develop a technical workforce through strong partnerships that align curriculum with market needs, provide hands-on experience, and offer career guidance. This may also include the possibility of creating educational centers for Cybersecurity and Information Technology.
- More entry-level jobs and cybersecurity internships are needed statewide.
- It is important to form a coalition of state government, industry, and academia to help plan for and build this workforce.
- Students are underprepared in some key areas, including problem-solving, diagnostic skills, quick-solution development, and soft skills.
- There is an opportunity through a national program to establish cybersecurity clinics in colleges that provide on-the-job training for students, where they can assist small businesses as part of their classwork.
Thank you to our sponsors, UNM Los Alamos for providing breakfast, and the Regional Development Corporation for providing lunch.
