New Mexico-based technology companies are not alone in the struggle to find employee candidates with the appropriate education, certifications, and hands-on experience to fill its thousands of available STEM-related positions each year. In fact, the thin digital workforce impacts technology employers of all sizes and ultimately, the state’s economy as a whole. The five fastest-growing occupations for the greater Albuquerque area between 2015 and 2020 were all STEM related¹. Yet, while the average salary for a computing occupation in New Mexico ($79,230) is nearly double the state’s average salary ($44,160), there were a reported 2,406 unfilled computing jobs in New Mexico in 2017, representing a $171,511,936 opportunity in terms of annual salaries².

The COVID-19 crisis has further impacted recruiting, hiring, and how we work. But in the aftermath of this crisis, history also tells us that workforce diversity and inclusion may be at a higher risk than usual due to companies’ need to focus on their most pressing basic needs—such as urgent measures to adapt to new ways of working; consolidate workforce capacity; and maintain productivity, a sense of connection, and the physical and mental health of their employees – and away from efforts to create diversity and inclusion in their workforce. (Robert Booth, “Ministers urged to raise pay for care home staff during COVID-19 crisis,” Guardian, April 14, 2020, theguardian.com.)