JTPA seeks support of private sector

The Job Training Partnership Act has called on the private sector for support in placing a portion of the 400 high school students targeted to participate in the Summer Youth Employment and Training Program.

JTPA Executive Director Felix Nogis yesterday invited members of the Saipan Rotary Club, an organization of business entrepreneurs, to take in trainees for its Summer Youth Employment and Training program.

Student participants will each be paid $3.50 an hour for six straight weeks starting June.

JTPA has also sent letters to private companies requesting for their assistance in giving high school students a chance to earn during summer. The program is also targeted to hone students’ skills and teach them the value of work.

“We are looking at the trend so far as the occupation. One of the major issues is regarding the tourism industry. We’re trying to invest our emphasis on tourism occupations,” said Mr. Nogis in an interview.

He also added that JTPA is now trying to lure students away from seeking employment in mom and pop’s stores and instead concentrate on landing jobs in hotel establishments.

The summer-long training is envisioned to benefit not only students but private companies as well, according to Mr. Nogis.

During the course of the training, students will be assessed on their performance by both company owners and JTPA.

JTPA case managers will conduct rounds every other day to keep track of the students’ progress while on the job. Certificates of completion for having participated in the program will be provided to trainees at the end of summer.

Last year, the agency recorded that over 94 percent of students who participated in the program stuck with their jobs until the end.

Mr. Nogis also informed the business community that effective July 1, 2000 JTPA will assume a new name as the Workforce Investment Act.
This agency will act as a national employment system designed to meet the needs of CNMI’s businesses and job seekers pursuant to the federal government’s recently passed law, the
Workforce Investment Act of 1998.

Under the legislation, the Workforce Investment Act shall establish a local workforce investment board to oversee the new system.

The board will take on this task with aid from local elected officials. JTPA headed by its director is tasked to coordinate with various training and employment agencies and submit nominees to fill up the board positions.

The board will comprise representatives from the private sector, JTPA, family leadership, employment services, and vocational rehabilitation.

The new law is projected to empower individuals looking for jobs. (MM)