Industry Workforce Capability Needs Survey
NAIMI deployed a short survey to collect data from companies and organizations to understand their current and future workforce needs, as well as the education and skills needed in key technical areas. The results of this survey lay the foundation for a roadmap of opportunities for cybersecurity/IT workforce development in New Mexico.
Building New Mexico’s Tech Future: A Workforce Strategy Workshop
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 These constraints can lead to underfunding crucial areas, including data protection, outdated software, and a lack of in-house Cybersecurity/IT expertise, resulting in security risks and reduced productivity.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 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.
