Kaipat, a member of the institute’s board of directors, said training members of the local community in the trades is very timely since the U.S. is about to take over local labor and immigration policies.
She said more locals have signified their intention to enroll at the institute.
Last week, about 26 students completed the fundamental course on carpentry, plumbing, painting, and electricity.
Starting today, institute president Anthony Pellegrino said those who completed the basic course will undergo a three-month hands-on training.
He said the institute may also offer culinary arts, sewing and cosmetic courses this year.
The last basic course conducted from July to October was on basic safety, construction mathematics, blueprint reading and basic communications in the working place.
One of the students who finished the course, Pedro Arriola Sr, 53, said the training will help them prepare for the upcoming military buildup on Guam.
As a teacher and businessman, Arriola said he enrolled at the institute to learn a skill that he can use in his apartment rental business.
He took up the plumbing course.
His son, Luis Pedro Arriola Jr, 17, the youngest of the institute’s students, said also he took up plumbing “because most problems in our apartment are about plumbing.”
Arriola Jr. said he will take up another course at the institute.
Another student, Luciano Dereas, 50, said he took the electrical course “because I believe this will help me in the future and there is a high demand for this skill.”
