This week, New Mexico in Focus launches a new four-part series, “Brain Drain.” It will air every Friday in July. Each segment will run approximately 12-18 minutes within the hour-long program. 

NMiF regularly airs Fridays at 7 p.m. and repeats Sundays at 7 a.m. on Channel 5.1 and Saturdays at 5 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. on Channel 9.1, except during pledge drives.

Brief:

As thousands of the state’s best and brightest graduate from college, many are planning to move out of state in search of better job opportunities. The future of our state, and our economy, depends on this next generation. Correspondent Gwyneth Doland looks at what it will take to plug this brain drain in a special four-part series.

Segment 1: The Nature of the Problem - July 7

The 2016 New Mexico Legislative Jobs Council Report found that the greatest barrier to job creation in most communities in NM is a shortage of qualified workers. What are the factors that contribute to this worker shortage and what could state and local leaders do to turn it around?

Guests:

  • Mark Lautman, Community Economics Lab
  • Sen. Michael Padilla, D-Albuquerque
  • Rep. Sarah Maestas Barnes, R-Albuquerque
     

Segment 2: Rural Drain - July 14

The problems identified by the Jobs Council Report were all most acute in rural areas. In many parts of New Mexico there are few high-quality jobs and the jobs that do exist often don’t pay well. Many young people have the impression that if they’re going to build a career and succeed they need to leave. And in many cases that may be true. What would help ensure rural communities can thrive and young people will want to stay or come back?

Guests:

  • Terry Brunner, Grow New Mexico
  • Christina Campos, Guadalupe County Hospital
     

Segment 3: Young People - July 21

This week we hear directly from a diverse group of young people. What do they want? Can they achieve their personal and professional goals in rural New Mexico?

Segment 4: Job Alignment - July 28

One of the most difficult things to do is to align workers with the jobs that need to be filled. We’ll look at some programs that are working on this issue.

New Mexico in Focus is New Mexico PBS’ prime-time news magazine show covering the events, issues, and people that are shaping life in New Mexico and the Southwest. Hosted by Gene Grant, New Mexico in Focus takes a multi-layered look at social, political, economic, health, education and arts issues and explores them in-depth, with a critical eye to give them context beyond the "news of the moment.”

The producer of New Mexico in Focus is Sarah Gustavus with Kathy Wimmer, associate producer. NM PBS Public Affairs executive producer is Kevin McDonald.

Funding for New Mexico in Focus is provided in part by the McCune Charitable Foundation.

Involved, informed, in-depth media: watch New Mexico in Focus again online shortly thereafter.

Get updates, watch and follow New Mexico PBS on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube & more.