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8 PSS students to take NMTI courses as part of pilot program
Eight CNMI Public School System students will be taking Northern Marianas Technical Institute courses alongside their high school coursework this new school year as part of a pilot program between PSS and NMTI.
In the long-term, the goal is to have a “Career Pathways” program in place that will function like a dual-enrollment program, allowing students to take NMTI classes during high school and seamlessly transition into NMTI’s courses after graduation, according to NMTI interim chief executive officer Jodina Attao on Thursday.
Beginning Aug. 17, eight students who participated in PSS’ Construction Boot Camp over the summer will be taking three NMTI courses during after-school hours in addition to their high school coursework. Attao said the three courses are NMTI’s Core course— which teaches the fundamentals of trades such as practicing safety—Carpentry I, and Carpentry II.
For the pilot program, Attao simply hopes that the students “stick through it” and walk away with valuable life skills. “We’re hoping that they stick through it, gain the skills, and [we hope] that we really guide them to expand their [career] opportunities in construction services,” said Attao.
As far as the finer details of the “Career Pathways” program, Attao said everything for now remains tentative.
The eight students recently completed PSS’ Construction Boot Camp, which was part of PSS’ Career and Technical and Education Program. Over the summer, the students experienced hands-on and instructional lessons in construction with the help of public and private partners.
Also part of the CTE program this summer was a Teacher Academy Program, Nursing Assistant Program, and Entrepreneurship Program.
