He said local residents want to acquire trade skills in anticipation of the federalization of local immigration on Nov. 28.
“The business sector may lose some of their foreign workers,” Cepeda added.
As of Aug. 21, 140 students had enrolled at the institute, 40 of whom are already employed as sales clerk, bus driver, teacher, security guard, cashier, lifeguard, gas station helper and deputy marshal.
The institute offers core curriculum A and B — which started on Aug. 3 and Aug. 4 — as well as carpentry, electrical, plumbing, painting, auto-mechanic, culinary arts and sewing.
Auto mechanic theory has 16 students — the highest number of enrollees — under Dante Yumul, followed by core curriculum B with 14 students under Ray Basa.
Cedepa said they are expecting enrollment to go up because “we continue to receive inquiries and have initiated an information campaign in the community.”
Early this month, Cepeda said the institute received $5,000 worth of new textbooks from Patrick Guerrero of McGraw-Hill Education.
The textbooks are intended for the culinary and automotive courses.
Since 2008, the institute has been receiving donations from various organizations and individuals, including the Bank of Saipan, DFS Saipan, Construction & Materials Supplies Inc., Carl Ernest Brachear, Gerry Willis, Microl Corp. and Patrick Guerrero.
