THE Northern Marianas Technical Institute intends to create an NMI chapter of the Guam Contractors Association.
NMTech Chief Executive Officer Jodina Attao, Human Resources and Operations Manager Charlene Quitano, and EDA Construction Project Inspector Sydney “Rip” Stephanson visited the Guam Contractors Association and GCA Trades Academy to meet with various partners on the successes and lessons learned in programs offered, as well as other operational components.
NMTech’s short-term goal is to establish a survey for interested construction contractors to participate in the association, while its long-term goal is to revisit legislation to establish a contract licensing board to ensure proper safety and implement standards.
The purpose and benefits of this venture include assisting contractors to elevate the standards on island, promote healthy comradery, build new, mentor, and influence leaders in the construction industry in the CNMI.
NMTech took the trip to Guam from Apr. 18 to 19, meeting with GCA president James Martinez and his team, and walking through the work that the association has done for the past 63 years.
They also met with Mark Perez and Theresa Tayama from the Guam Department of Corrections; Mark Mendiola, chairman of the Guam Board of Education; and Joe Sanchez, deputy superintendent for curriculum and instruction for the Guam Department of Education.
The NMI team also had the opportunity to meet board members of the Trades Academy, and attended the GCA monthly membership meeting which consisted of about 75% of Guam’s contractors.
“[It was] a great learning experience. We were able to gather insight on the Trade’s Academy EDA Construction Project completion, NCCER administration, and other invaluable information relevant to NMTech,” said CEO Attao.
“We would like to assist construction contractors, create camaraderie among healthy competition to elevate the standards in which we provide services to the Commonwealth, actively pursue our work with the CNMI Department of Labor’s Registered Apprenticeship Program and build capacity toward workforce development.”
Attao said GCA Trades Academy Executive Director Dr. Bert Johnston has served as a mentor since her inception last year.
“He has traveled to Saipan to provide guidance and support on the National Center for Construction and Education Research, or NCCER, accredited curricula that we offer at NMTech. We are grateful to Dr. Johnston, his team, and to the beautiful people of Guam who took time out of their busy schedules to accommodate us during our time there,” she said.
For more on NMTech, visit www.nmtechcnmi.org
