WIA sees first hand progress made by NMTI students

Workforce Investment Agency lead case manager Francis Torres visited the Northern Marianas Trades Institute last Friday. (Contributed Photo)

The Northern Marianas Trades Institute last Friday received an exciting visit from the Workforce Investment Agency, a division of the CNMI Department of Labor.

Francis Torres, lead case manager for WIA, stopped by to see the progress being made by students at the Lower Base campus and to see how WIA can help students transition toward their desired careers. The meeting which discussed WIA’s intention of covering for a portion of the student learning experience while at their respective assigned job sites as they work on receiving their respective training certificates.

Under the leadership of Labor Secretary Edith Deleon Guerrero, WIA is looking at taking a proactive approach toward the CNMI’s workforce development needs, according to Agnes McPhetres, NMTI chief executive officer.  McPhetres said, “WIA’s participation in our student development is highly encouraging, especially in the “hands-on” portion of our courses. As our students currently don’t receive financial aid from sources such as the CNMI Scholarship Office, our students are placed at a great disadvantage when compared to others. WIA’s assistance empowers our students as the demand for students in the technical trades is at its highest due to the current CW predicament we are facing. ”

Courses such as Culinary Arts, Automotive Technology, Construction, and Hotel and Restaurant Operations offered at NMTI run year round with major emphasis in “On the Job Training (OJT) opportunities.”

The total amount of hours a student would have to complete depends on the career choice they make. The Hotel and Restaurant Operations program requires students to undertake a rigorous 350 hours course load, which is comprised of 110 hours of in-class sessions and 240 hours of OJT, according to NMTI sources.  When asked for comment, Victor Mesta, director of Student Development and HR manager mentioned, “Students get a well-rounded education as the OJT is a major function of interest for CNMI employers.  Students are supervised by people trained in the field, thus giving employers the opportunity to see their skills develop along the way.  Wouldn’t you as an employer want to see what you’re paying for prior to buying it?”

For information on signing up for courses, CNMI residents are encouraged to call (670) 235-6684 or visit their website online at www.nmticnmi.com.