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Workforce summit participants overwhelmingly favor wage hike
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Posted on Dec 01 2006
Participants in the 2006 CNMI Workforce Development Summit on Thursday overwhelmingly favored the move to raise the CNMI minimum wage now.
During the summit’s audience breakout session, 74 respondents voted “Yes” when asked if the Commonwealth should start to increase the $3.05 minimum wage now. Some of them said, though, that the raise should be imposed gradually.
Only five participants voted “No” to the question.
As to the top three skilled job categories that the CNMI should focus on for placement of resident workers, the participants listed accountant, nurse, and administrative assistant.
With respect to three unskilled job categories that the Commonwealth should focus on for employment of resident workers, the respondents listed waiter/waitress, front desk clerk, and cashier.
In another breakout session, the participants also narrowed down to three what the Public School System and the Northern Marianas College could do to better prepare high school and college students for the priority job categories chosen.
For PSS, the participants suggested improvement of career counseling contact with students, focus the efforts on basic skills (Math and English), and enhancement of work ethic skills.
For NMC, the audience recommended enhancing internship opportunities with partners such as the Workforce Investment Agency and others, enhancing private sector involvement to determine NMC’s programs and services, and continuing the growth of the hospitality program.
Over 100 representatives coming from the government, including some lawmakers, and private sectors registered to join the one-day summit held at the Fiesta Resort and Spa in Garapan. NMC and WIA sponsored the event.
