$1M to be used for OJT programs for US eligible workers

The CNMI Department of Commerce was recently awarded a $1 million technical assistance grant by the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs to support the CNMI Economic and Labor Enhancement Program.

This grant was made available following the OIA’s Forum on Economic and Labor Development report recommendations. This is also a part of the CRNA’s requirement under Public Law 110-229 in an effort to help mitigate the anticipated economic impact associated with the enactment of the law that extended the federalization of immigration to the CNMI.

Commerce met with the Marianas Visitors Authority, farmers, and other key community groups to discuss the available grant funding.

“Due to the great demand of technical assistance proposals received by Commerce, a decision was made that we should provide an opportunity for the public to refocus on the initial funding scope and request for sub-grantee proposals. Although the timeframe is short, as prospects or interested applicants are only given until the 13th of this month to submit the proposals, we believe that enough information has been disseminated to inform key stake-holders accordingly,” said Mark Rabauliman, project coordinator and point of contact for the TA-CNMI-2011-5 interior grant award.

The technical assistance grant is to provide assistance for eligible applicants to develop or expand an “on-the-job training program” to train U.S. eligible workers (U.S. citizens, FAS citizens, and green card holders) where the actual jobs are, so that trainees can meet the job requirements and become employable upon completion of their training. The technical assistance grants are not to “supplement” salaries for trainees, local government, private entities, and non-profit organization employees. In addition, grant funds may not be used for equipment and supplies. Allowable costs include professional services, personnel training, advertisement, printing and photocopying.

Commerce will use the available funding for sub-granting to eligible and qualified applicants including public agencies and registered non-profit organizations to implement economic and labor enhancement programs in the CNMI. This includes programs to develop and enhance the areas of tourism, hands-on training programs that enhance technical, vocational, and professional skills for U.S. eligible workers.

“We believe that the funding, which was allotted in the amount of $650,000 for sub-granting, will be sufficient to jump-start the three missions: tourism enhancement program, labor enhancement program, and agriculture and aquaculture enhancement program, under the grant award,” said Rabauliman.

All interested applicants should visit the Department of Commerce website at www.commerce.gov.mp or contact Rabauliman at 664-3002 or email ta.elep2011@commerce.gov.mp to access full copy of the public service announcement. A pre-proposal conference is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 6. (Office of the Governor)