Oct. 11—The state sent millions of dollars this year for work-based learning initiatives and internship programs around New Mexico.
The budget for fiscal year 2025, which runs through June 2025, allocated more than $65 million for these focuses specifically.
The entity receiving the most of the money in the FY25 budget was the New Mexico Public Education Department.
PED received $40 million for pilot programs focused on career technical education. The funding can also be used for CTE student organizations, innovation zones, work-based learning and equipment. The agency also got $5 million to go toward summer internships.
The Higher Education Department also got a chunk of funding.
HED received $20 million so state community colleges and regional universities can pay up to the full cost of student tuition and fees for workforce training programs that aren’t eligible for other state financial aid. The programs must result in an industry-recognized credential or endorsement, according to the budget.
The state agency can also use the money to subsidize the cost of internships or apprenticeships or program development.
Higher-ed institutions must submit implementation plans to HED before getting the money to show the types of certificates or credentials it plans to offer and the employers and industries eligible for internships or apprenticeships.
There’s more localized funding, too.
The Mid-Regional Council of Governments, a multi-county government agency in New Mexico, got $200,000 for youth-focused arts and student internships in Bernalillo County. The council can contract the money for out-of-school visual and performing arts, media arts, and science, technology, engineering, arts and math programs.
Additionally, the Indian Affairs Department received $240,000 to send to the Santa Fe Indian School for youth leadership, internships, enrichment programs and community institutes.
The department also got $160,000 for the same uses — youth leadership programs, internships, mentorships, enrichment programs and tribal community institutes — in a broader sense.
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