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‘Partnership is solution to easing shortage in vocational training’
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Posted on Sep 15 2005
Partnerships within the business community, the CNMI State Board of Education, and the Public School System is key toward creating more certified, skilled residents in the CNMI, according to Workforce Investment Agency director Jesse Stein.
Speaking before the Saipan Rotary Club’s Vocational Summit held yesterday morning at the Aqua Resort Club, Stein said a lot of work is needed to create a strong vocational institution in the Commonwealth.
First of all, the CNMI needs the private sector to make things happen, as the sector can determine what kind of training they want to see in vocational training schools and institutions, such as the Northern Marianas College, he said.
Stein also lamented the lack of vocational training schools in the CNMI.
In the construction industry, there are more contract workers who are skilled in the profession—1,549 Filipinos, 132 Chinese, 38 Bangladeshis, 11 Koreans and 1 Thai.
Stein said if one would ask if there were any local heavy equipment operators in the CNMI, the answer would be “none.” They are all contracted out, he added.
He, however, is happy to see that a successful partnership is now developing between NMC and the Commonwealth Health Center.
He said there are 13 Hemodialysis technicians currently being trained both in the hospital and at the college.
Aside from Stein, other speakers during the summit included Rotary Club president Jim Whitt, Windsock Saipan Inc.’s James Thomas, Merchant Maritime’s Ken Shankweiler, Jason Shankweiler and Fred Reiman, and CNMI Auto Dealers Association’s Doug Brennan. Education Commissioner Rita H. Inos presented an overview of the Public School System and its vocational development program.
Public school principals and Rep. Justo Quitugua also attended the event. Rotarian Ed Salas served as emcee of the summit.
