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PSS maintenance staff undergo HVAC training
CNMI Public School System maintenance staff are back in the classroom undergoing Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) maintenance training. (Contributed Photo)
The Northern Marianas Trades Institute is finding itself busy this summer as it has begun providing training for numerous entities seeking specific training courses for their respective organizational needs. These entities include organizations such as the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. and the CNMI Public School System.
According to Kathy Arriola, NMTI’s director of Curriculum and Instruction, “companies want their staff trained but ask that we cater the training requested to their specific needs and the availability of staff. In many instances summer is the only time professional development is conducted.”
PSS staff are currently undergoing a rigorous training regimen in Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) maintenance. The 27 maintenance personnel signed up for the course are being exposed to topics such as basic electricity, basic refrigeration theory, air distribution systems, system controls, and HVAC diagnostics.
The training is conducted by instructor Juan Pocaigue and gives an in-depth understanding behind a highly sensitive profession greatly regulated by U.S. Environmental and Protection Agency as we gain greater understanding on climate change issues. Pocaigue is North American Technician Excellence (NATE)-and National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER)-certified.
“Students are getting a highly qualified instructor as Mr. Pocaigue has impressive credentials not only in HVAC but safety as well. NMTI is extremely lucky to have such talent at its disposal,” according to Agnes McPhetres, NMTI’s chief executive officer. She further noted, “NMTI is in high spirits to have PSS personnel on campus as we continue to grow our partnerships with different organizations. I thank Education Commissioner Dr. Rita Sablan for seeing us as a learning resource and committing to such opportunities for her staff. Their presence here is a profound statement in the right direction.”
