Over 300 enroll in summer jobs program

Over 300 students from around the CNMI have applied for the Summer Youth Employment Program provided by the Workforce Investment Agency, set to begin this Monday, June 14.

The agency disclosed yesterday that a total of 318 youths from Saipan, Tinian, and Rota have submitted application forms.

Majority of the applications—an estimated 210 to 240—were from students on Saipan. The number, however, is expected to decrease as the agency disclosed that several applicants have hinted signs of pulling out, resulting in the unconfirmed number of employees for this year’s program. The confirmed number of summer employees will be disclosed this Thursday.

The hiring process will be based on a federal income guideline. Students falling below the poverty income guideline are prioritized; however, a small number of slots are also available for students who are above the poverty income guideline.

In previous years, WIA would hire students and employ them through various government and private agencies on Saipan. This year, however, the agency decided to take a different approach and employ students at the Department of Public Works and the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Several students will also be based at the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs.

“The WIA, with the DLNR and DPW, are working together for an islandwide beautification brigade,” said Edward T. Sablan, WIA case manager and youth program coordinator. “Our main focus is to beautify our island, and this is one positive way to do that and get the youth involved.”

Students referred to the DPW will be involved in projects that include performing traffic intersection planting of approved flowers and small trees, planting on various road meridians or concrete islands, maintaining grounds care and cleaning at various designated sites, participating in the selection of plants and growing them for distribution to various locations, hauling water, watering plants, hauling trimmed branches and disposing them.

Students referred to DLNR will take part in projects including reforestation of the Marpi forest, uprooting and clearing the tangle of scarlet gourd vines from trees, planting mango orchards, beautification of parks and scenic locations, and improving trails and camp sites.

Students based at DCCA will complement the Summer Youth Camp headed by the department.

“Aall employees will work eight hours a day on projects that will enhance the natural beauty of the island,” Sablan said. “The students will earn $3.50 an hour.”

A couple orientation sessions will take place this Friday, June 11, at the Multi-Purpose Center. The first session is set to begin at 9am, while the second begins at 1pm.

Last April, Sablan said the number of summer employees is going to be reduced due to the smaller amount of funds given by the agency’s federal administrator.

Sablan said the number of employees would go down to 200, a reduction of 100 from that of the previous years, which featured 300 students from Saipan alone.

“With the reduced funds, we have to reduce the number of employees,” he said. “We also have to keep in mind the other programs for the rest of the year.”

The summer program normally lasts eight weeks, but this year it will be limited to six weeks, he added.