Victorino S. Cepeda, NMTI education director, yesterday said they are now offering eight courses, including one for the hospitality industry.
As of June 30, he said NMTI had 199 students for Carpentry 1 and 2, Electrical 1 and 2, Masonry, Plumbing 2 and 3, Culinary Arts 1 and 2, Auto-Mechanic 1 and 2, and Sewing.
Before enrolling, all students must take the core curriculum based on the National Center for Construction Education and Research standards.
Cepeda said the institute is gradually fulfilling its mission to prepare local residents to fill the jobs that nonresident workers will leave behind because of the federalization of the CNMI immigration system.
There’s a great interest from residents to learn new skills and trades, but “most of them don’t have money,” he said.
According to Cepeda, the institute depends mainly on government financial assistance.
He said NMTI is expecting to get $145,000 from local poker license fees.
$45,000 was already released by the Department of Finance which is scheduled to release the balance of $100,000 this month, Cepeda added.
The Legislature, through the effort of then-Rep. Justo S. Quitugua, appropriated $150,000 for the trade school.
Cepeda said their biggest supporter is the Workforce Investment Agency.
They also get support from the CNMI Nutrition Assistance Program.
They are hoping to get support from the Saipan Higher Education Financial Assistance program.
Cepeda said the school has renovated its sewing and culinary arts classrooms.
It has two new classrooms but they need fixtures and air-conditioning units, he added.
Cepeda said they conduct a five-hour class every week for each course. They can have daily classes, but these will require additional funds to pay for full-time instructors, he added.
“People are beginning to see the importance of this school. They want to learn about the courses we offer,” he said.
