NMTI to offer classes to food stamp recipients

Department of Community Cultural Affairs’ Nutrition Assistance Program administrator Walter Macaranas, left, shakes hands with Northern Marianas Trades Institute Student Development director and HR manager Victor Mesta after announcing the details of NMTI offering classes to NAP recipients. (Contributed Photo)

The Northern Marianas Trades Institute (NMTI) and the Department of Community Cultural Affairs’ Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP) recently finalized the details associated with providing classes for NAP recipients.

The first class entitled “Prep for Success” is scheduled to start Saturday, March 26, at the NMTI campus in Lower Base with the initial 25 students identified by NAP.

The second scheduled class cohort is set for April 2, 2016. The participants will be attending one of the two scheduled sessions as part of NAP’s goal of empowering its clientele toward finding prosperous careers. Generally, the course involves lessons in employment expectations, rediscovering oneself and their aspirations of a career path, and the next steps to take in order to begin such path.

According to NAP administrator Walter Macaranas, “As part of the NAP requirements to engage able-bodied NAP recipients to participate in education, training, and work programs we actively sought the educational expertise of NMTI. Individuals required to enroll in the work requirement program must register with Division of Employment Services of the Department of Labor and be assisted to apply for a job. NAP has selected 50 participants, currently enrolled in the work requirement program, to attend these full-day sessions.”

NMTI Student Development director and HR manager Victor Mesta feels that such efforts on NAP’s part is highly encouraging.  Mesta notes that, “this is just the beginning of what we see as a potentially fruitful relationship which in turn benefits our community at large.  Mr. Macaranas and his team at NAP came to us and we are ecstatic that NAP sees us as a great resource for NAP registered clients.  NMTI offers an array of career paths in the areas of construction, culinary arts, automotive technology, and hotel and restaurant operations. By beginning with the ‘Prep for Success’ course, students get a glimpse of the trades currently available as these courses are what CNMI business’ place in high demand at this particular point in time due to the Contract Worker (CW) situation.”

Macaranas further stated, “The next steps could begin with adult basic education or higher education, or training, or employment. The participants must choose the career path they wish to embark on. Each participant will be assessed and will be provided recommendations on available resources one will have to partake such as applying for financial aid, grants, scholarships, and/or assistance at the Workforce Investment Agency (WIA) so they could enroll at NMC or NMTI or other local training institutions.”

If the participant is determined work-ready and wishes to further seek employment, the participant will referred to the Division of Employment Services and be further assisted with employment. The NAP will track the progress and determine whether the participants are on track with their path. The participants may lose their privilege from NAP participation if they’re not on such a track.