NMC, CNMI to vie for registered apprenticeship grant next year
The CNMI is a forming a team led by the Northern Marianas College to vie for a $2 million to $4 million apprenticeship grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, according to NMC dean of administration and resource development David Attao.
Attao told Saipan Tribune that NMC is teaming up with the Public School System, the Northern Marianas Technical Institute, and the CNMI’s Workforce Investment Agency and other CNMI departments in vying for the grant.
NMC will act as the “lead writers” of the grant proposal, according to Attao. The deadline for the grant is April 30 next year. The grant is among the $100 million in grants being offered by Labor to expand registered apprenticeship programs across the United States.
Attao updated the Board of Regents on the grant opportunity in their meeting on Monday. The CNMI governor has ultimate authority and signature over the grant, it was learned. Attao said the team writing the report would meet this week.
He said the grant has a “floor and ceiling” of $2 million and $4 million.
DOL announced the $100 million in grants on Dec. 11 this month. Approximately 25 grants will be awarded using funds collected from employers who use H-1B visas to hire foreign workers, according to DOL.
The hundred million dollar initiative is intended to expand registered apprenticeship programs over the country in industries like healthcare, biotechnology, information technology and advanced manufacturing.
Labor intends to help fill jobs that are projected to hire a substantial number of new workers in the coming years, as well as provide training for jobs that have been transformed by 21st century technology and innovation.
Labor also aims to train jobs in new and emerging industries. Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez called apprenticeship the “other four-year degree” in an earlier statement this month.
“[Apprenticeship] is a tried and true job training strategy that offers a reliable path to the middle class, with no debt,” he said. “I encourage everyone to apply for this federal grant so that we can significantly scale apprenticeships opportunities for many more Americans in new industries and occupations.”
