AT the CNMI Department of Labor Job Fair on Friday, June 28 at the multi-purpose center, CNMI DOL officials spoke to the Variety about the role the department plays in supporting the local economy. Island residents, for their part, spoke about what motivated them to be at the job fair, which hosted 18 employers, six government agencies and nongovernment entities.
CNMI DOL Secretary Leila Staffler said workforce development supports the economy.
Around noon, there were over 500 residents who had already visited the job fair, she added.
“The private sector is the foundation of any economy,” she said. “In order for a private sector to work [it must have] employees and to have as many options and skilled people that are available to do all of the things that are needed in our economy.”
Staffler said she encourages employers to research Workforce Investment Agency programs under her department.
“WIA programs can actually bring your bottom line down by helping pay for trainee expenses, pay for salaries and reimbursements with apprenticeship programs,” she said. “And … by using our programs, you’re contributing to the skilled labor that will be here on our island after these programs are over.”
According to Director of Employment Services Eugene Tebuteb, the economy and workforce are “very closely tied” and the CNMI DOL’s responsibility includes keeping the workforce strong.
“Our role is to keep the workforce healthy by making sure that we’re doing everything in our power to open up platforms just like this fair, so that interested job seekers can come and avail [themselves] of the many services that the entities provide,” he said.
He added that the job fair was hosted after soliciting community feedback, which asked CNMI DOL to hold job fairs more frequently.
Staffler said the next job fair will be held before the end of the year.
Job seekers
Rayleen Falle, a job seeker, was at the fair with her husband. She hasn’t had a job since 2016, she said.
“It’s very slow,” she added, referring to the economy. “I’m applying for any job that is open — as long as I can work. I need to help my husband with the payments, the bills and everything.”
Naomi Taitano said she is interested in working for the Department of Corrections, possibly as a corrections officer.
“Everything nowadays is so expensive,” she said. “Even food stamps cannot cover it — the bills for food and other stuff.”
She said she understands that if she gets a job, it will cut into the food stamp benefits her family receives, but she has to make a choice and prioritize paying her bills.
“We need to pay our bills, even the gas. It’s so expensive. We can’t go around the island,” she said.
Joleyanne Nagui arrived in the CNMI on a CW-1 visa in February, and is still waiting for an employment agency to “finalize” a job for her. She was at the job fair seeking work. She hoped to be employed by either POI Aviation or Crowne Plaza.
“Through the agency, they’re the ones who find the jobs. However as of now because it’s with the hotel industry, it’s kind of hard to find [a job] so we’re still waiting,” she said.
She added that she is in the process of reapplying for a CW-1 visa for next year, but if she can’t find a job she ultimately has to go back to the Philippines.
Jim Ada is 25 years old and has a stack of applications he will submit to employers.
“I’m trying out everything I can,” he said.
Ada has a job that will “end soon” so he was at the job fair to try “something new.”
Ada said he has not ruled out leaving Saipan, but he has, so far, chosen to stay on island to help his parents.
“I would prefer to stay in the meantime, but I eventually want to try something out there,” he said, referring to the continental U.S.
He said prior to attending the job fair he had also spoken to a military recruiter. A “good job” could “change everything” for him, he added.
Dozens of residents look for job opportunities at the CNMI DOL Job Fair on Friday, June 28.
The CNMI DOL Job Fair was held at the multi-purpose center on Friday, June 28.
