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3 women enroll at NMTI’s Construction Trades Program
Julie Dionisio, Keriann Callaghan, and Dionisia Taitano are currently enrolled in the Northern Marianas Trades Institute’s Construction Trades Program. (Contributed Photo)
As the CW worker situation remains a heated topic in the CNMI, there are those who choose to be a part of the solution and avail themselves to current programs focused on workforce development.
The Northern Marianas Trades Institute is seeing a growing interest on the part of residents seeking job skills training. Three such individuals trying to enhance their skills include Julie Dionisio, Keriann Callaghan, and Dionisia Taitano. The three women are currently enrolled in the Construction Trades Program at the Lower Base Institute. The ladies vary in backgrounds as Callaghan, for example, is still a high school student at Saipan International School and will be going back soon to further her academic studies, while Taitano is a mother of three on the lookout for opportunities for personal growth.
The three ladies chose NMTI as its Construction Trades program is backed by the National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER). When asked why construction trades? Dionisio responded by saying, “Having national credentials is what it’s all about. If I don’t finish all my courses here, I can take the rest anywhere in the nation where NCCER courses are being taught. That means all the time spent here is not lost and carries me towards my overall career goals.”
Taitano, on the other hand, wants to use the skills she learns to eventually build her own house and not be dependent on others to perform such tasks. Being the newest of the batch, she enjoys the challenge ahead. Callaghan plans to come back to NMTI and finish once her senior year is completed at Saipan International School. She doesn’t put aside the thought of one day coming back and serving as an instructor at NMTI.
Agnes McPhetres, NMTI chief executive officer commented that,“The number of women entering the field of construction is growing nationwide. Running an NCCER-backed curriculum is the key. This is the same curriculum used by the Army Corps. of Engineers and remains the industry standard. We believe in our product and ask prospective trainees to do their homework. Check it out themselves and see where NCCER certification can take them.” (PR)
