SANTA FE — New Mexico is deploying a corps of trained digital navigators to help thousands of residents in rural, low-income and older communities build the internet skills needed to access jobs, healthcare and education online.
The New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) is providing $300,000 to the Department of Workforce Solutions (DWS) to develop and launch the New MexiCorps Digital Navigator program. Navigators will help New Mexicans use digital tools more confidently and safely.
“Part of OBAE’s vital mission is to address the issue of digital opportunity. Too many New Mexicans don’t possess digital skills and computer knowledge — whether it’s because of age, geography or income level — and we want to change that,” said Jeff Lopez, OBAE director, “We are excited and proud that DWS is working with us to help close this digital divide.”
“For broadband expansion to truly level the playing field, we need to make sure all New Mexicans know the tools and resources that the Office of Broadband Access and Expansion is providing,” said DWS Secretary Sarita Nair. “A whole new world of work, education and healthcare tools is coming to our rural and frontier communities, and the Digital Navigators will make sure these communities know how to access it. We are excited to be launching our New MexiCorps programs with this innovative and thoughtful initiative.”
OBAE is committed to expanding digital opportunity and to cultivating interagency collaboration to identify and support cooperative digital inclusion, education and literacy initiatives.
DWS will manage the program, including recruiting, training and paying navigators. The program will:
- Develop, facilitate and manage the Digital Navigator teaching curriculum.
- Recruit, train, coordinate and manage the digital navigators.
- Coordinate community outreach and program promotion.
- Provide one-on-one mentoring and coordinate group trainings and workshops.
- Distribute education materials.
The program launches this summer as part of OBAE’s broader digital opportunity strategy outlined in the agency’s three-year statewide broadband plan.
OBAE will receive regular program updates and monitor progress throughout implementation.
