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DOL revives apprenticeship program
CNMI Department of Labor Secretary Vicky Benavente speaks to members of the Society for Human Resource Management CNMI yesterday during the group’s monthly meeting. Benavente talked about the recently revitalized Apprenticeship Program. (MARC A. VENUS)
CNMI Department of Labor Secretary Vicky Benavente brought with her the concept behind the recently revitalized apprenticeship program at yesterday’s monthly meeting of the Society for Human Resource Management NMI Chapter at the Hyatt Regency Saipan ballroom.
In her presentation, Benavente said the CNMI DOL’s Workforce Investment Agency was recently awarded a three-year State Apprenticeship Expansion Grant to develop and promote apprenticeships in the CNMI.
An apprenticeship is an industry-driven career pathway where employers can develop and prepare their future workforce, and individuals can obtain paid work experience, classroom instruction, mentorship, and a portable, nationally-recognized credential.
Benavente said that apprentices are considered paid employees, with WIA subsidizing up to 50% of an apprentice’s wages on a reimbursement basis.
An internship and apprenticeship are two completely different programs, Benavente said. An apprenticeship program intends to have the employee on a long-term basis. “The apprenticeship program is for someone who wants to work long term and make them learn the baking, the mechanics, air conditioning, refrigeration, whatever it is to that skill that is driven by the industry,” she said.
According to Benavente’s presentation, the apprenticeship program is eligible for a total of $445,000 to be disbursed over three years.
The Northern Marianas Technical Institute and the Northern Marianas College will work with the training of the individuals and with business associations such as the Hotel Association of the NMI in order to keep the apprenticeship program running.
“The hotel industry is the perfect industry for this apprenticeship program, as they revolve around the certain jobs apprentices are hired for,” Benavente said.
For more information about the Apprenticeship program, contact DOL WIA at (670) 664-1708.
