Leila Staffler
CNMI Labor Secretary Leila Staffler is encouraging local residents — especially those who are receiving Nutrition Assistance Program benefits — to “invest in yourself.”
In an interview, she said there’s no reason people can’t gain valuable skills right here in the CNMI if they are looking for work. She urged community members to take advantage of existing programs to improve their qualifications and job readiness.
“It’s not easy to find a job, especially if you don’t have the skills,” she said. “Unskilled workers will have a harder time landing a job than people who already have skills. The more certifications and credentials you have under your belt, the better your chances of getting hired.”
Staffler emphasized that gaining skills doesn’t require a long-term degree program. “You can get certified in programs that can be completed in a short period of time,” she said. “This increases your earning potential and makes you more competitive for job openings in both the private and public sectors.”
She highlighted the CNMI Scholarship Office as a resource for those interested in enrolling in educational institutions or trade skills development programs.
“The Northern Marianas Technical Institute, for example, is a great place to start if you’re looking for specific skill sets — especially in high-demand fields with strong earning potential,” she said. “Northern Marianas College also offers short-term certification programs that are available right now.”
Although the interview was primarily about NAP’s work requirements, Staffler expanded on workforce development and interagency collaboration.
When asked whether there has been communication between CNMI Labor and the NAP office regarding new federal work requirements for able-bodied food stamp recipients under the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill,” Staffler said, “We haven’t had an updated conversation since the recent cuts announced under the bill.”
“But we do have plans to discuss the work requirements,” she added. “It’s something we’re interested in collaborating on — to ensure that the rules are meaningful and reasonable for both parties: for NAP recipients and for the businesses that may be offering them job opportunities.”
Staffler also said there should be discussions about aligning eligibility requirements across public assistance programs.
“For Medicaid, food stamps, and housing assistance, it would be helpful to have some consistency in eligibility criteria,” she said. “It’s hard for people to know what they qualify for when the requirements are all different. I’d like to see progress in that area.”
She noted that the CNMI already has work requirements in place for NAP recipients, but added, “How the rules may change is not something I’m fully aware of yet, but I look forward to working with the NAP office to ensure we are aligned moving forward.”
