“CUC is working toward and intends to fully comply with all applicable regulations regarding nonresident workers,” he added.
He noted that nonresident workers comprise less than 10 percent of CUC’s workforce.
“Currently, I believe we may be in the top tier of employers who employ local resident labor. This is something we are proud of and are continually working to improve,” he said.
This year alone, he added, CUC has provided over 3,500 contact hours of training to its employees, resulting resulted in a doubling of its water and wastewater certified operator personnel.
CUC has worked closely with Northern Marianas College and the Northern Marianas Trades Institute in further developing a skilled workforce for CUC, Fletcher said.
Currently, he added, CUC is filling numerous positions with resident trainees “who are all honing their skills.”
CUC’s human resource director Frankie Cepeda recently attended a one-week course to help the utilities corporation develop more formalized training programs, Fletcher said.
According to Cepeda, CUC will post job vacancy openings for the positions occupied by the nonresident workers as required by U.S. immigration policy.
Cepeda said these positions can be taken by U.S. worker applicants if they meet the requirements or if the federal government reject the CW applications filed by CUC for its nonresident workers.
Fletcher is encouraging eligible U.S. workers to complete high school, take math and science courses, or study technical trades such as construction, plumbing, and electrical work.
“People can gain all of these competencies through NMC and NMTI. They can also develop those skills that make people good employees, such as punctuality, regular attendance, and a hunger to learn. Together, we can make a better CUC and CNMI,” Fletcher added.
