Focus on Education Problems Facing Local Employment

Several weeks ago an article in one of the local newspapers caught my eye: “Nursing Program Fails to Attract Students.” The sad fact revealed in the article is that the Northern Marianas College is unable to attract students willing to study nursing. It appears that only two persons finished the nursing program during the 1999-2000 school year. This was nine students less than the previous year. As a result the hospital has to continue relying on foreign workers in the nursing staff.

Several years ago when I was operating Nino’s Pizza, a local young man refused to work in the restaurant serving customers. He didn’t mind washing dishes or delivering pizza to customers’ homes. But he would not work where he would be seen by his peers or other local people. I could not find local young people to work in the restaurant so I had to rely upon non-resident workers.

Local banks start inexperienced tellers at about $8.00 per hour and have a difficult time hiring local employees