A successful start to SHRM’s Workforce Readiness Initiative

The first group of participants in the Society for Human Resource Management’s Workforce Readiness Initiative program completed a week of job preparation and warehousing skills in their efforts to find employment in today’s tough job market. Eleven referrals from the CNMI Workforce Investment Agency wrapped up 40 hours of training during the week of April 16-20, with both warehousing classroom training and on-site observation, plus forklift training and testing to obtain their forklift operator certification.

“This first program can only be viewed as a success,” Frank Gibson, Initiative program manager for SHRM said. “WIA provided us with a good group of applicants and they did their part, showing up on time, showing interest and participating well. They received good solid training from knowledgeable and experienced instructors from the business community. We have already placed five of the trainees and have interviews on-going to place the remainder.”

The first Initiative program participants were Gary Lee Benavente, Ronald LG. Ealey, Kintirino Elieisar, Robert R. Johnathan, Mark Kukkun, Delvin H. Manahane, Wensiner Namelo, Donald L. Norita, Aldebert Santos, Anthony Tenorio and Benji Yoromad.

The first program included job preparation classes on job applications and resumes, job interviews, customer service, equal employment opportunity and sexual harassment, and employer expectations. Skills training classes were provided on OSHA requirements, Basic Warehousing Operations, Basic Warehousing Maintenance and Forklift Operation, culminating in hands-on forklift operation and certification.

Gibson said that the success of the first program was also due to the professional skills and the interest of the instructors. “I would like to thank the SHRM members, Ms. Polly DLG Masga from PIC, Mr. Jim Arenovsky from Delta Management, Ms. Malou Ernest from Tan Holdings and Ms. Josephine Mesta from the Hyatt Regency Saipan, who worked with the participants to prepare them for employment. Special thanks is owed to Mr. Joven Cruz from CTSI Logistics for the warehousing training and the use of their warehouse area as a training venue, and Mr. David Dobey, Professional Training Technology Inc., from Guam, for the OSHA and forklift training and certification. Mr. Eric Plinske of StayWell Insurance and Mr. Max Kretzers, D&Q Co./Tan Holdings volunteered their time to assist with mock job interviews. I appreciate the business community’s willing assistance.”

The Workforce Readiness Initiative is funded by a grant awarded to the CNMI SHRM by the US Department of the Interior through the CNMI Department of Commerce in support of the CNMI Economic and Labor Enhancement Program. This Initiative to benefit the community started on April 16 with a one-week warehouseman training program and will continue on May 29 with a second one-week program for wait staff. The second program will run Tuesday through Saturday due to the Memorial Day holiday on May 28.

SHRM’s role in administering this grant through its Workforce Readiness Initiative will be to facilitate the preparation of unemployed U.S. qualified workers through job preparation and skills training to be better qualified to enter the CNMI job market. The Initiative will consist of a series of one-week pre-placement training programs with a combination of general employee enhancement and job specific skills in employment areas where SHRM-Member companies and other community businesses have indicated a need for replacement or additional staff.

The Workforce Readiness Initiative is for the benefit of unemployed U.S. qualified workers. Qualified individuals who are registered with WIA or the DOL Employment Services should contact those offices and let them know of their interest. Those who are not registered and are interested in joining one of the Initiative programs should immediately register with WIA and express their interest. All interested candidates should sign up with WIA to allow them to help employers with funding of Initiative graduates. Interested individuals can also contact Gibson, the Workforce Readiness Initiative manager by e-mail at hrsupportcnmi@gmail.com.

Although the Initiative does not guarantee a job for every participant, it will make every effort to get each graduate employed. Several companies have already committed to accepting Initiative graduates and the Initiative will continue to source jobs through its SHRM-member companies and other employers. Companies interested in considering Initiative graduates can also contact Gibson at hrsupportcnmi@gmail.com.

This program is supported by federal funds in the amount of $102,000 under the U.S. Department of Interior, Office of Insular Affairs, CNMI Economic and Labor Enhancement Program through a Sub-grant award from the CNMI Department of Commerce. [I](SHRM)[/I]