Training, Education, and Paid Work Experience for New Mexico Youth
How can I get started with Youth Career Services?
Get the latest information about our Youth Career Assistance Programs in this quick one-minute video and learn about how we can connect you to job search assistance, tuition assistance, on-the-job-training, and much more!
You can also visit any one of the Central Region America’s Job Centers located in Albuquerque, Los Lunas, Rio Rancho, or Moriarty. We offer no-cost Career Services for New Mexico teens and young adults from ages 16 to 24.
Call 505-843-1900 to learn more.
How do you know if this program will work for you?
Read our Success Stories!
One of the best ways to recognize the program’s benefits is through success stories of others just like you.
Abigail's Success Story
Abigail, enrolled in the WIOA Youth Program as an in-school, basic deficient, low-income individual. Curious about other career pathways, Abigail hoped to gain work experience in a field separate from her declared major of Criminology and would also benefit from working with an employer that was willing to work with her college schedule.
Fernando's Success Story
In February 2025, as an 18-year-old high school senior, Fernando Rico enrolled in the WIOA Youth Program qualifying as a Basic Skills Deficient, In-School Youth. Fernando was seeking assistance with employment opportunities. During goal setting and creating his Individual Service Strategy, Fernando shared his plan to attend college to study law.
Meet with our Youth Career Services Staff:
Bernalillo County
Marisa Hudson l 505.263.5877 l mhudson@wccnm.org
Kylara Marsh l 505.203.9172 l kmarsh@wccnm.org
Sandoval County
Eric Jack 505-721-0972 ejack@wccnm.org
Jennifer Martinez 505.907.1401 l jenmartinez@wccnm.org
Valencia County
Marcelina Vargas l 505.388.8463 l mvargas@wccnm.org
Marla Padilla 505-388-8463. mvargas@wccnm.org
Torrance County
Tammy Chavez Email: trchavez@ydinm.org
How can I enroll?
You can email Youth@wccnm.org or get help from staff at an American Job Center nearest you.
Let us help you get paid work experience and new skills!
How do I know if I qualify?
You qualify if you are in school and…
- Between the ages of 14 and 21
- Attending school (secondary or post-secondary)
- Low income (see details below)
- Meet at least one of the following:
- English language learner
- An offender
- Homeless, runaway or foster child
- Pregnant or parenting
- Individual with a disability
- You qualify if you are out of school and…
- Between the ages of 16 and 24
- Are not attending school
- Meet at least one of the following:
- School drop out
- Within the age of compulsory school attendance but have not attended school for at least the most recent compete school year calendar quarter
- A recipient of a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent and are a low-income individual who is either basic skills deficient or an English language learner
- Subject to the juvenile or adult justice system
- Homeless, runaway or foster child
- Pregnant or parenting.
- Individual with a disability.
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How do you know if you qualify as low income? You qualify as low income if you:
- Receive, or in the past 6 months have received, assistance through SNAP, TANF, SSI, or state or local income-based public assistance programs, or are in a family that meets this requirement
- Are in a family with a total family income that does not exceed the higher of the poverty line or 70% of the LLSIL (see details below)
- Are a homeless individual
- Are a foster child
- Are an individual with a disability whose income meets the requirements
What documents do I need?
To determine eligibility, you will be asked to provide the following:
- State-issued ID or driver’s license
- Birth certificate
- Social Security card
- Proof of income (if applicable)
- Proof of Selective Service registration (if you are a male 18 or over)
Get PAID work experience.
If you are eligible, our Youth Program can help you access opportunities for:
- Work-based learning
- Industry-recognized credentials
- Employment in high-demand occupations.
The program can provide:
- Paid and unpaid work experiences (employment, apprenticeship, internships)
- Tuition assistance for education & occupational skills training
- Adult mentoring
- Activities that help youth prepare for and transition to postsecondary education and training
How are Youth Career Services funded?
Funding is provided through The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014 enacted a comprehensive youth employment program for serving eligible youth, ages 14-24, who face barriers to education, training, and employment.
Funds for youth services are allocated to states and local areas based on a formula. The WIOA Youth Program focuses primarily on out-of-school youth, requiring local areas to expend a minimum of 75% of WIOA youth funds on them. The program includes 14 program elements that are required to be made available to youth participants. WIOA prioritizes work experience through a 20% minimum expenditure rate for the work experience program element.
Local programs provide youth services in partnership with American Job Centers and under the direction of local Workforce Development Boards (for example, Workforce Connection of Central New Mexico). Learn about funding sources for WIOA programs and services here: www.wccnm.org/funding.
Employers – Benefits to Employers for becoming a youth worksite
Calling all Central New Mexico Businesses!
Become a Youth Program worksite and help build our talent pipeline in Bernalillo, Sandoval, Torrance & Valencia counties. Plus, your business may be eligible to receive financial incentives and on-the-job training funds that keep your business competitive.
Are you interested in learning about the benefits of partnering with the WIOA Youth program?
We invite you to connect with us today!
Bernalillo, Sandoval, Valencia & Torrance Counties
General Email: youth@wccnm.org
