THE Northern Marianas Technical Institute, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory, successfully hosted a five-day energy auditor training at its Lower Base campus from Sept. 8-12, 2025 to promote energy efficiency and build professional expertise across the Commonwealth.
The week-long training brought together 13 participants from key agencies, including the Commonwealth Bureau of Military Affairs, Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation, Commonwealth Ports Authority, Commonwealth Utilities Corporation, the Hotel Association of Northern Mariana Islands, Northern Marianas Housing Corporation, NMTech, Office of Grants Management, Office of Planning and Development, Office of Rep. Vincent Aldan, and the Public School System.
Designed to build local capacity in energy efficiency and conservation, and to recruit potential Energy Auditor instructors — the course combined three days of classroom instruction with two days of field work. Participants applied their knowledge by conducting hands-on energy audits at major facilities across Saipan, including the CNMI Legislature, AK Toyota, Aqua Resort, and Office of the Mayor of Saipan, equipping participants with practical skills to evaluate and optimize energy use in residential, commercial, and industrial settings.
“Hosting this training aligns with NMTech’s mission to equip the CNMI’s workforce with skills that directly support our community’s sustainability and resilience,” said NMTech CEO Jodina Attao. “By working with NREL, we are helping to ensure that local professionals can lead the way in energy efficiency, cost savings, and environmental stewardship.”
The Energy Auditor Training is part of a growing partnership between NMTech and national experts, including the Association of Energy Engineers to expand renewable energy education and technical capacity in the Northern Marianas.
Selected participants will be on track to pursue the Certified Energy Auditor and/or Energy Efficiency Professional credentials through the Association of Energy Engineers, expanding opportunities for local expertise and the program’s long-term sustainability.
About NMTECH
The Northern Marianas Technical Institute is a workforce training institution committed to equipping students and professionals with the skills and certifications needed to succeed in today’s industries.
About NREL
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory is the U.S. Department of Energy’s premier national laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development.
