THE Workforce Investment Agency signed a $14,800 contract with a private firm to train 395 Saipan students participating in the summer job program.
Felix R. Nogis, executive director of WIA, said the Saipan Chamber of Commerce’s “constant criticism” regarding the work attitude of locals compelled the agency to have the students undergo training on work ethics.
Chamber President Richard A. Pierce said the business group has always been accommodating and “supportive” of the summer youth program.
“We want more local participation in the workforce. However, there will always be companies that complain about a lot of things and we don’t have control on that,” Pierce said.
Nogis said WIA signed a contract with the International Business and Professional College to provide 26 training sessions to the 2002 Summer Youth Employment and Training participants.
From June 24 to 28, students will undergo training on filing systems, telephone etiquette, basic keyboarding, word processing and basic interview preparation and techniques.
The students will start reporting to government and private agencies next week.
Nogis said the contract with IBPC is funded by the federal government, and “does not involve any local funds.”
He also cited a provision in the Workforce Investment Act that requires interns to undergo classroom instructions or academic training.
“This is a pilot project and we will now do it every year to comply with the act and to prove the critics wrong. We also intend to do it on Rota and Tinian,” Nogis said.
He said WIA received two bids for the project: Northern Marianas College’s $16,000, and IBPC’s $14,800.
“IBPC, just like NMC, consists of competent individuals. But because IBPC offered a lower price for the same type of service, we chose them,” Nogis said.
WIA opted for the “expedited procurement” process after IBPC was selected to meet the contract’s effective date of June 24.
The summer program gives priority to high school students aged 16 and above whose families’ incomes are below the poverty guideline.
Each youth trainee will be paid $3.50 an hour.
