NMTech offers scholarships, pre-apprenticeship program
Today is the last day of registration as the Northern Marianas Technical Institute prepares to start classes on Jan. 16, with courses to be offered ranging from the core fundamentals of construction and automotive technology, to air conditioning and refrigeration; electrical and welding; culinary arts; and baking and pastry.
Ben Babauta, NMTech’s Marketing and Outreach coordinator, assured yesterday they also offer in-house scholarships.
“We do have an in-house scholarship that can pay for 99% of the classes, and then we do have another scholarship in partnership with CNMI Department of Labor and [Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act],” he said.
That partnership is a pre-apprenticeship program, which is currently being advertised for NMTech’s Core Construction program.
“So what you could do is check if you qualify with the CNMI Department of Labor, apply, and, after qualifying, you take the classes at NMTech and DOL will pay you $7.25 per hour for each hour you attend class, and they will also pay for your tuition….[At the end], you would do a three-month internship with a construction company on Saipan and they will pay you for the three-month internship to work for the company,” Babauta said.
He described it as a “very great opportunity” and NMTech is launching it so people can explore the construction field and see which one they would like to specialize in, whether electrical, air-conditioning, welding, or carpentry.
“WIOA is our partner for the apprenticeship program, but they have two different programs… the pre-apprenticeship and the apprenticeship. The pre-apprenticeship program is for individuals who don’t have a job and you’re going to learn a new skill and then get a job. …They’re going to pay for the class and they pay you for the three-month internship.”
After their new student orientation on Jan. 11, courses will officially begin on Jan. 16. The available course are the following:
The Construction: Core Fundamentals course will begin on Jan. 16. from 5pm to 7:30pm, Monday to Thursday until March 26.
Electrical Level 1 courses will also begin on Jan. 16, Monday to Thursday, from 5pm to 7:30pm until it concludes on June 25.
HVAC Level one course classes will begin on Jan. 16, from 5pm to 7:30pm, Monday to Thursday, and will end on July 2. HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning.
Automotive Engine Performance and Steering and Suspension courses will also begin on Jan. 16, with the steering and suspension classes happening from 9am to 11:30am, Monday to Thursday, until June 11. For the Automotive Engine Performance, classes are from 2:30 pm to 5pm, Monday to Thursday, and will conclude on Aug. 7.
Culinary Arts and Baking and Pastry classes will both begin on Jan. 22, and end May 21, with Culinary classes being held on Monday and Wednesday, from 3pm to 7pm, and Baking and Pastry classes from 3pm to 7pm, on Tuesday and Thursday.
NMTech also offers a Welding Level 1 course that begins on April 1 and concludes May 5.
Babauta noted that registration is open online, but he recommends going to their office in Puerto Rico, so students can also find out if they’re eligible for the scholarship and apprenticeship program, from the DOL staff onsite at the school.
Further course details are available at nmtechcnmi.org/. You can also email admissions@nmtechcnmi.org or call (670) 235-684.
NMTECH
