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Feds OK 2-year WIA program
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Posted on Jul 23 2005
The U.S. Department of Labor has approved another two-year grant for the CNMI’s Workforce Investment Agency.
The Governor’s Office said Friday that WIA’s comprehensive 135-page plan received final approval pending minor clarification by the federal agency.
Press secretary Peter A. Callaghan said the plan has four main goals, consistent with the administration’s economic development plan for the CNMI. These include the development of new employment opportunities for local residents to reduce unemployment.
Callaghan said the current unemployment rate among local residents is at 3.2 percent.
Other goals are:
* work with public and private sector leaders to encourage sustainable industrial and commercial development that enhances the long-term economic growth and development;
* enhance and maintain the physical infrastructure of the islands and develop sound land-use policies that are consistent with community need and desires that will bring economic benefit to the people; and
* preserve the unique culture and environmental well being of the CNMI for the enjoyment of coming generations.
Callaghan said monetary grant awards have not been finalized for implementation of the plan but he said that funding levels should be consistent with 2004 when the CNMI received nearly $1 million in three areas.
The 2004 grant covered youth programs, adult employment, and dislocated worker employment.
He said that even before the two-year plan was finalized, WIA has received $86,201 for youth programs in the first half of 2005.
The CNMI has been receiving grants from the federal government to boost the development of the local workforce and lessen its dependence on guest workers.
