Over 60 graduates completed their respective trades courses at the Northern Marianas Technical Institute, which held a graduation ceremony on December 19 at the Multipurpose Center.
The ceremony’s pamphlet listed nine automotive technology graduates; five Baking and Pastry graduates; 10 Culinary Arts graduates; 15 Construction: Core graduates; two Construction: Carpentry graduates; two Construction: Craft Laborer graduates; one Construction: HVAC graduate; thirteen Construction: Electrical graduates; and nine Construction: Welding graduates.
Addressing the graduates, NMTECH CEO Jodina Attao reminded them of the significance of their trades education.
“The certifications you now hold in your hands are not just pieces of paper. They representthe embodiment of hard work, perseverance, and the pursuit of excellence,” she said, adding, “Without a tradesman or tradeswoman this very building we are in will not be standing.”
The ceremony was marked by a keynote address by Saipan Chamber of Commerce president Joe Guerrero, who shared that he employs three NMTech students at Naked Fish, the restaurant and bar which he owns.
“As graduates…you are now more equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to enter the workforce in your chosen trade, or for some of you, to continue in advanced course work and training,” Guerrero said.
During his address, Guerrero recalled a conversation he had with the late Tony Pelligrino, who was an advocate for trades education in the CNMI. Guerrero recalled that a trades education functioned like a safety net for Pelligrino.
“I remember him looking at me straight in the eye and saying ‘Joe I am not afraid to fail in business because I can always go back to cutting hair. Everyone needs a hair cut. ..He went on to say ‘Joe, because of this I’m able to jump on business opportunities that others would otherwise pass on because they don’t have a skill to fall back on.”
According to Guerrero, the CNMI needs more trades education, and that the new NMTechalumnae are “an important and integral piece of our workforce puzzle.”
“Without trades education and training here at home we will continue to over rely on foreign workers and withhold true opportunities for our people,” Guerrero said.
One graduate who spoke to the media, Joulourd Cepeda, said that his education will help him at his job at the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation, where he is a member of a line crew.
With his trades education, he says he will continue to gain on the job experience so that he can one day be a certified lineman for CUC.
Five Baking and Pastry students and 10 Culinary Arts students were part of this cohort of NMTech graduates.
NMTech CEO Jodina Attao congratulated the alumnae, saying “Without a tradesman or tradeswoman this very building we are in will not be standing.”
Over 60 students recently graduated from the Northern Marianas Technical Institute
