US Labor approves WIA’s two-year plan

A two-year plan for economic development to reduce unemployment in the CNMI and provide a skilled workforce for businesses on the islands has received final approval from the U.S. Department of Labor pending minor clarification.

The Governor’s Workforce Investment Agency said the comprehensive 135-page plan received final approval pending the clarification, as confirmed in a June 24 letter to Gov. Juan N. Babauta from Richard Trigg, the Region VI Administrator for the Employment and Training Administration within the Department of Labor.

WIA was tasked by the U.S. Labor Department to develop the two-year plan, in coordination with the State Workforce Investment Board.

The plan has four main goals consistent with the governor’s economic development plan for the Commonwealth:

* Develop new employment opportunities for CNMI residents to reduce the unemployment rate from its current 3.2 percent.

* Work with public and private sector leaders to encourage sustainable industrial and commercial development that enhances the long-term economic growth and development of the CNMI.

* Enhance and maintain the physical infrastructure of the islands and develop sound land-use policies that are consistent with community needs and desires that will bring economic benefit to the people.

* Preserve the unique culture and environmental well-being of the CNMI for the enjoyment of the coming generations.

While monetary grant awards have not been finalized for implementation of the plan, WIA said that funding levels should be consistent with 2004 when the CNMI received $926,490 in three categories: youth programs (under 18 years old), adult employment, and Dislocated Worker Employment. Even before the plan was finalized, WIA received $86,201 for youth programs in the first half of 2005.

The WIA plan lists specific action plans for the agency. They include creating employment opportunities that match the skills or interests of the workforce; providing appropriate training programs that fill the gap needed to upgrade the quality and diversity of jobs available; and working with the business sector to accommodate and teach local residents what is needed to flourish in the particular employers’ work sites and industry.

WIA executive director Jesse Stein said, “We are very pleased that our plan has been approved. The board and the agency worked very hard to develop a plan that was consistent with the governor’s goals for our economic development. We appreciate everyone’s input, and look forward to helping move our economy forward in the upcoming two years.”