THE WORLDWIDE SLUMP IN OIL PRICES IS TRANSLATING INTO FEWER JOBS IN NEW MEXICO. THE DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS SAYS OVERALL EMPLOYMENT STATEWIDE FELL BY 18 HUNDRED JOBS IN JANUARY, COMPARED TO THE SAME MONTH IN 2015. THAT’S ONLY THE SECOND TIME IN MORE THAN THREE YEARS THAT NEW MEXICO HAS SEEN JOB LOSSES.
THE MINING INDUSTRY, WHICH INCLUDES OIL AND GAS PRODUCTION, TOOK THE BIGGEST HIT, WITH A LOSS OF 77 HUNDRED JOBS…A DECREASE OF MORE THAN 26 PERCENT. THE BRIGHT SPOT WAS EDUCATION AND HEALTH SERVICES WHICH SAW JOB GAINS OF MORE THAN 5-PERCENT.
