HUNDREDS of job seekers gathered in the Hibiscus Hall of the Crowne Plaza Resort on Friday, Sept. 15, for the CNMI Department of Labor Job Fair.
The event was hosted in an effort to mitigate the effects of the “touchback” rule, which requires hundreds of CW-1 visa holders to leave the CNMI for up to seven months.
CNMI DOL Secretary Leila Staffler was glad to see the turnout.
“All ages are here, all skill sets are here,” Staffler told Variety. “There are job openings from managerial positions all the way down to entry level. Anybody who is looking for work and is willing to see what is out there will be able to find that opportunity.”
Staffler said even as U.S. workers were needed to fill the positions left vacant by CW-1 visa holders, the CNMI still needs its foreign labor workforce.
“Private sector needs both types of workers because we don’t have enough people on island that can fill every single position,” Staffler said. “It’s awesome to see that this many people are here to take advantage of what is available now.”
She said there were 41 vendors present, looking for employees.
One job seeker was 21-year-old Arreo Wabol who was at the job fair with his relative and fellow job seeker Simkap Wabol, 20.
“I’m here to look for a good opportunity for myself,” Arreo Wabol said, adding that he was a Public School System Co-op student who earned job experience at 500 Sails as a boat builder. He visited the 500 Sails table at the DOL Job Fair to sign up for a full-time position.
Arreo Wabol said if his job with 500 Sails doesn’t work out, he’d like to work in the hospitality industry, either in a restaurant or a hotel.
Simkap Wabol said he would like a physical job. He said he has experience setting up tents and picnic tables for R&B Tent Rentals. At the job fair, he submitted applications to 500 Sails, the Pacific Islands Club and a manpower services company.
“They said they’d train me,” Simkap Wabol said, adding that he is willing to learn any trade.
Ashley Borja, 23, is looking for her first permanent job.
“I haven’t had any [work] since I graduated,” Borja said. “I’ve been looking for a job ever since I graduated.”
Borja said she is interested in customer service or food service positions. She likewise inquired with a construction company.
“I’m really good at working in an office,” Borja said. “I had experience in the office when I was in high school and I’ve had experience with volunteering at lunches.”
Ferdinand Dingson is a sales clerk in an office but is hoping for a new career.
“I like manpower, I like maintenance,” Dingson said. “For a long time I was working in construction as a mason/carpenter.”
Dingson was at the job fair looking for construction positions or something to get him outside of the office. He said he finds construction “easier.”
“As a sales clerk you always need to find customers, but it’s hard because nowadays the economy is down,” he said.
The DOL Job Fair was held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Job seekers were able to speak to vendors directly, pick up applications and submit documents.
The line outside the Hibiscus Hall as doors opened at 9 a.m.
Dozens of people attend a job fair hosted by the CNMI Department of Labor at the Crowne Plaza Resort on Sept. 15, 2023.
Jobseekers Arreo Wabol, left, and Simkap Wabol.
Ferdinand Dingson is looking for a construction job.
Jobseekers spoke directly to prospective employers and could pick up applications or submit résumés.
