Kensington signs MOA with NMTI to train students

From left, Kensington Hotel Saipan’s Vivian Guerrero, Kensington Hotel Human Resources & Customer Services director Sin Ja Choi, Northern Marianas Traders Institute chair John Oliver Gonzales, NMTI chief executive officer Agnes M. McPhetres pose after signing a memorandum of agreement.(Contributed Photo)

The Northern Marianas Trades Institute last Monday signed a memorandum of agreement with Kensington Hotel Saipan detailing how both sides would be providing resources toward student training in the areas of hospitality and culinary arts.

Signing on behalf of the Kensington Hotel Saipan was Sin Ja Choi, director of Human Resources & Customer Service. According to the agreement, students will be hired and placed under experienced Kensington Hotel Saipan staff during their 230-hour internship requirement. Kensington in turn will also be encouraging current and future staff to attend foreign language courses at NMTI as part of their professional development.

When asked for comment on the partnership, Choi said, “This investment is one that Kensington Hotel Saipan is extremely excited about. We are on the lookout for dynamic individuals that enjoy problem solving and have great interrelationship skills. NMTI’s courses are exactly what we need to groom potential applicants interested in the hospitality career.” The signing of the agreement is yet another move in NMTI’s program expansion efforts. NMTI currently has similar agreements with the Kanoa Resort, Hyatt Regency Saipan, and Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan. The current strengthening in the hospitality and culinary arts trades is in direct response to the industry demand. With tourism activities growing and the CW situation being a current constraint, Kensington Hotel Saipan and NMTI see this partnership as a means to curb the current strain on the CNMI’s human resource woes.

“Ms. Choi has been actively engaging NMTI since the beginning. She continues to follow up on how we can get the agreement into fruition. Kensington Hotel Saipan is obviously making major investments in its human resources as demonstrated in their hosting of their very own job fair,” according to Agnes McPhetres, chief executive officer of NMTI. Also on site for the official signing was John Oliver Gonzales, NMTI chair of the board. Gonzales said, “The visit to the hotel was exhilarating as the remodeling is extensive. The number of staff currently being trained is an indicator of how progressive they are in their steps towards the hospitality industry. We can’t wait till the official opening of the hotel in late July.”