HAGÅTÑA (The Guam Daily Post) — “I was unemployed for quite some time, my wife is here to testify. It opened my eyes, this is a fantastic, fantastic program. Like any new program, I think there’s kinks to be worked out. But we got through it,” said Chris Manibusan, one of 12 graduates of the Guam Community College Bus Driver Boot Camp III.
25 individuals started the boot camp, but only 12 made it to graduation day.
“The completers earned their Class ‘D’ Licenses for bus driving (hands-on instruction) along with certifications in passenger assistance, Heartsaver first aid, CPR/AED, work ethic, OSHA 10, and WorkKeys. In addition to completing the boot camp, participants hired by the government of Guam completed one year of on-site work experience to fulfill job eligibility requirements,” GCC said in a press release.
Gerard Toves, Guam Department of Labor deputy director, said, “These folks right here, … whatever life threw at them, they still kept on coming. From the bottom of my team’s hearts, thank you so much for completing. You are now a total asset with our community.”
The 12 graduates are gainfully employed by boot camp sponsors Kloppenburg Enterprises, Inc., the Department of Public Works and the Guam Regional Transit Authority.
“I know that the community look forward to seeing you on the road helping us to transport individuals where they need to go,” Mary Okada, GCC president, said during the ceremony on Wednesday.
She recognized the need for bus drivers in both the private and public sectors of the industry.
Okada noted the boot camp was not easy.
“I say adventure because bus driving has been one of the most difficult boot camps to get started, continue and complete. I think we have a backlog a little bit on the bus driving for us to help get more individuals behind the wheel,” Okada said.
She said the partnerships with all involved are vital to support the economic development of Guam.
“The Guam Community College as the leader in career and technical education supports that by providing the services and providing the training for individuals to advance,” Okada said, noting GCC offers additional opportunities for adult education.
Lt. Gov. Joshua Tenorio spoke toward the vital role bus drivers play in society.
“Being a bus driver is a trusted position. A lot of people don’t realize that if you don’t have safety and security at the top of our minds, many people are going to have barriers to get to where they need to be. Parents are going to have their day interrupted because they factored in making sure their kids getting to school safely on the bus. Sometimes you have to be relied upon to take people to appointments that they need to survive, even going to get dialysis,” Tenorio said, thanking the graduates for joining the ranks of professional bus drivers.
Transportation being an issue and barrier to employment and services, Sen. Amanda Shelton took to the podium to share her excitement for the future of mass transit on Guam.
“When I look at the bus drivers I am so excited for the future of mass transit on Guam and what the possibilities are for us, and you all play into a bigger vision of what mass transit, bus ridership, means for our island. Better accessibility, easier transport and travel between places for those who maybe can’t afford a car or don’t want to drive or are thinking about the environment. Whatever the case may be, you are bringing that possibility to them,” Shelton said.
A Guam Regional Transit Authority Redline bus is seen on Nov. 1, 2023.
