“The students have been vetted by NMTI and selected for dependability,” CUC Executive Director Abe Utu Malae said.
Based on his assessment, Malae said the students are “dependable and eager to learn.”
CUC, he added, may consider hiring these NMTI students.
“That is the intention — to train them on the job through an apprenticeship program and then eventually hire the full-time,” he told Variety.
Last Nov. 2010, nine NMTI students were hired to assist CUC in meter reading, meter installation, repair and maintenance.
Malae said under the law, CUC will be limited to 30 nonresident workers this year.
CUC has 38 nonresident workers, mostly assigned to the power plants.
Malae said CUC must attract U.S. citizens to make up for the anticipated shortfall in experienced power plant mechanics and electricians.
“NMTI has a stated goal of developing local/U.S. workers to perform trades and technician-type work. That goal fits nicely with CUC’s labor requirements,” he added.
“We may also have to hire from the other U.S. territories or the mainland,” he said.
According to Malae, CUC may also resort to outsourcing particular operations.
