“I would like to take this opportunity to remind you all of the upcoming federalization of our immigration system. I believe that the beauty of this institute is that it caters to the local U.S. citizens of the CNMI,” Joseph Sablan said.
He recalled his previous mistakes that put him in jail for eight years, and said NMTI “opened my eyes and got me interested in culinary arts.”
Since he was released in 2005 he has been seeking employment but remains unsuccessful.
“Having a criminal record tends to worry potential employers,” he said.
But now, he added, NMTI has prepared him for a brighter future as a skilled and productive citizen.
“Many of us have regrets in life but enrolling at NMTI I can honestly say was one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life,” Sablan said.
A nurse for 25 years, Diego Kaipat, who completed the carpentry level 1 course, said he never knew how to fix a broken pipe and a broken door of his house until he enrolled at the institute.
“There should be no more excuses for not being able to make a change in your life. It’s right here waiting for you at NMTI,” he said, as he urged his classmates not to continue depending on the government for subsistence.
In an interview, NMTI electrical instructor Dennis Tababa said their students are “very fast learners who have lots of potentials” to become professional skilled and trade workers.
He said the school is planning to expand and offer an air-conditioning course.
Pedro Arriola, for his part, said he is thankful that there is a school that offers trade courses.
“No excuses when 2014 comes because we have our very own trade school institution,” he said, referring to the phase out of guest workers in 2014.
Macfleen Paul said she and other NMTI students are ready to take over private sector jobs once the foreign workers leave.
She said she is taking a step in the right direction by learning trade skills.
“All countries across the world need tradesmen and tradeswomen, and the CNMI is no exception,” she added.
