Jim Arenovski of Island Training Solutions, seated, with Dr. Jessica Taylor, Career Technical Education head, far left, and Bel Busby, right standing in white, IT instructor for Island Training Solutions, Dan Montano, assistant instructor, kneeling center, Trey Hocog, ITS marketing assistant, with MHS IT specialists.
THE CNMI Public School System’s Career and Technical Education Program and Island Training Solutions proudly announce the successful completion of the IT Specialist Certification Program by its first batch of 19 students from Marianas High School.
These students undertook the challenging semester-long IT Specialist – Device Configuration and Repair certification course through Certiport.
This certification is recognized worldwide and is a foundational course for other IT-related courses and pathways including networking and cybersecurity. These students are ready to intern work begin entry-level positions.
“This is the first IT certification course offered through Certiport and its Regional Partner Island Training Solutions and we believe it is the first certification course of its kind offered in the public school system. This course demonstrates PSS’s commitment to excellence in the field of Information Technology for its students” said Jim Arenovski of Island Training Solutions.
The course was offered through Career and Technical Education under the leadership of Dr. Jessica Taylor and Marianas High School. A special thank you goes to Principal Johnathan Aguon for supplying the classroom for this after-school offering.
The course was taught under the expert guidance of Bel Busby and her team, these students dedicated themselves to mastering the complexities of computer components, software, and troubleshooting, equipping themselves with essential skills for their future careers. The certification opens up a myriad of pathways for these students, providing them with a solid foundation to pursue further education or enter the workforce as IT specialists. Each successful student received a laptop computer, professional IT tool kit and $300 stipend for taking the class.
“I took the IT specialist course to further drive my interest in technology and gain more knowledge within the field,” said Christhena Amaro, a graduate of the program. “Completing the course has made me feel confident and eager to apply what I’ve learned into real-world scenarios. I also have a deep sense of accomplishment knowing that I’ve tackled a new subject and learned a new skill. This class has been a fun learning experience as well as a great opportunity to meet new people.”
“As a (young) kid, I always loved working with technology and computers, so when I saw this opportunity to learn something new, I immediately took it,” said Gabriel Galang, another student. “Finishing this course makes me want to continue learning more topics related to computer science.”
“After finishing the course, I felt really refreshed, especially after taking the certification exam. Moreover, I felt some pressure from trying not to fail the course because I personally didn’t want any of the instructors’ efforts to go to waste which is why I felt refreshed after finishing the program,” said Angelie Tobias, a student in the program. “I took the course because I wanted to expand my knowledge on the technical aspects of technology. I also wanted to build my own computer and because I took the course, my expectations were met.”
“I am incredibly proud of our students’ accomplishments,” said Bel Busby, instructor for the IT Specialist Class. “Their hard work, dedication, and commitment to learning have been truly inspiring. Witnessing their growth and seeing their passion for technology flourish has been a rewarding experience for me as an educator. I have no doubt that they will go on to achieve great success in their future endeavors.”
The certification ceremony, held on Friday, May 17, 2024, celebrated the achievements of these students and honored their dedication to becoming certified IT specialists.
For more information on IT training and certifications courses, contact Island Training Solutions at sales.islandtrianing@gmail.com or visit www.islandtrainingcnmi.com/.
