“This is the most stupid, discriminatory attitude I’ve ever seen on this island,” he said, referring to the recent statement of SHEFA Administrator Henry Hofschneider who indicated that the program cannot guarantee financial aid to NMTI students.
Pellegrino said Hofschneider and the SHEFA board headed by Jose Mafnas don’t understand that “blue collar workers are equally important as white collar workers.”
“These people have never put a hammer on their hand or screwdriver and they don’t know what they are talking about so I have no kind words to tell,” the businessman said.
In an earlier interview, Hofschneider said trade school students are considered last priority under the SHEFA financial assistance program.
He added, however, that SHEFA may assist eligible NMTI applicants based on the availability of funds.
SHEFA’s priorities are undergraduate, master’s and online students.
Pellegrino said he has a master’s degree in liberal arts but he worked in the construction industry “because [its workers]tare necessary people.”
“The entire board, including Henry Hofschneider, the next time they need any plumbing, electrical, carpentry and painting jobs and building new rooms, install a new bath — they should go and call the ghost students that they’ve been supporting for many years on the mainland.”
He wants to know if SHEFA has accounted for all its beneficiaries — who have graduated and are already working
“Where are they? If they have a major in English or history or even a doctorate in philosophy, call those guys to fix your house,” he said.
Pellegrino said trade school students should not be the last priority of SHEFA.
His students, he added, are the local workforce of the island.
“They stay here,” he said.
When nonresident workers leave after 2014, he said trade school students will comprise the bulk of the CNMI’s workforce.
Variety was unable to get a comment from SHEFA.
