The Employment Programs Bureau includes two Older Worker Programs: A federally funded Title V Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP); and a state-funded Senior Employment Program, as well as the Golden Opportunities for Lifelong Development (GOLD) Program.

50+ Employment Connection in Santa Fe

Older Worker Programs

The Older Worker programs provide training and subsidized employment opportunities to more than 250 people statewide. These programs partner with senior centers, other aging network providers, and training and employment services throughout New Mexico.

Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)

The US Department of Labor funds this program. Because its enabling legislation is Title V of the Older Americans Act, it is often called Title V. A total of 348 subsidized training positions are available in New Mexico, allocated according to a census-based formula, calculated using the number of eligible persons in each county.

The Department administers 20 percent of the available temporary training positions. Enrolled trainees are paid minimum wage for 20 hours per week. They are placed in not-for-profit or governmental organizations, known as host agencies. Host Agencies work with their assigned trainees to prepare them for transition into unsubsidized employment.

Enrollees’ income must be 125% of poverty or lower; they must be at least 55 years old, unemployed, and residents of New Mexico. Enrollees are not state employees, but are paid through the state system. At intake, an assessment of job skills and interests is conducted. On-site host agency supervisors are responsible for conducting evaluations of enrollees and assisting with assessments. The program helps to cover the costs of an annual physical for each enrollee and assists with some work-related expenses, such as the cost of eyeglasses, uniforms, and shoes.

New Mexico Senior Employment Program

This program operates similarly to the Senior Community Service Employment Program, however, as the program is state-funded, the Department may grant waivers of income, hours, salary, and training requirements. The program’s intent is to support aging network providers through the allocation of subsidized positions within their organizations. These organizations serve as the host agencies for program enrollees. The New Mexico State Legislature created this program with recurring funds to provide employment for seniors with low incomes and support aging network providers. The majority of the funds in this program are contracted to the Non-Metro Area Agency on Aging. The Department administers the balance of the positions.

Other Program

Golden Opportunities for Lifelong Development (GOLD)

The GOLD Program provides mentoring services to at-risk individuals entering or re-entering the workforce, as well as others who may be experiencing barriers to employment. The GOLD Mentor Program hires persons age 50 and older to mentor at-risk persons statewide. Individuals mentored include Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) recipients and high school students with disabilities. This program is designed to appeal to retiring Baby Boomers who are looking for flexible, part-time work to supplement their incomes and who wish, at the same time, to give back to their communities.