Over 200 apply for NEG employment, more wanted

Only a little over 200 residents have applied for the 1,200 to 1,300 temporary jobs that were made available with the release of a $2-million National Emergency Grant from the U.S. Department of Labor.

NEG project director Jesse P. Stein said during an interview yesterday that more applicants are needed to meet the number of slots requested by government agencies.

Stein, who is also director of the Workforce Investment Agency, explained that individuals who submitted WIA applicants and are interested in the temporary employment program must fill out the NEG applications.

“The WIA and the NEG program are two separate and different things,” he said. “The NEG is only for temporary hire, whereas the WIA is for permanent employment and training. Submitting WIA applications is different from this NEG. So we encourage unemployed residents to register.”

The NEG program began accepting applications on Monday, and will continue to do so until Saturday, Oct. 30 at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium between 8:30am and 3:30pm.

Residents with last names beginning between I to M will be entertained today, Oct. 27; N to S on Oct. 28; and T to Z on Oct. 29. Saturday has been designated for open enrollment; interested applicants who missed their assigned dates may register at this time.

Stein said applicants on Tinian are already being entertained while registration on Rota begins tomorrow, Oct. 28. About 350 to 400 jobs are available for Rota and between 250-300 for Tinian.

After receiving the applications, Stein said NEG staff would then determine eligibility, selection, routing, and briefings for approved applicants.

He said all selected applicants must also provide police clearances prior to actual employment through the program.

The first batch of jobs is expected to get underway next month.

The NEG program is intended to provide temporary jobs to assist with the cleanup of typhoon debris, assist in flood-prevention, mitigation, recovery efforts, debris removal and repair work due to the effects of Supertyphoon Chaba.

Stein said approved applicants would be paid $8 per hour for a labor-intensive 40-hour workweek. Employment through the grant will last each employee six months or 1,040 hours.

The program would be available only for citizens of the U.S., Federated States of Micronesia or those with Immediate Relative status or green cards. Individuals who arrived on island after the typhoon would not be eligible. All applicants must be 18 years old or older and must provide proof of qualifications, including a valid passport, proof of valid Immediate Relative status, proof of valid green card, and proof of residency in the Commonwealth.

The NEG are discretionary funds under the Dislocated Worker Program of WIA and the U.S. Department of Labor. It is awarded to states and territories to assist with major economic dislocations.