Triple J Saipan gives $5K ETC to NMTI

Triple J Saipan recently donated $5,000 worth of Educational Tax Credit to the Northern Marianas Trades Institute. Photo shows NMTI officials receive the ceremonial check from Triple J executives at Triple J Motors. (Contributed Photo)

The Northern Marianas Trades Institute recently received a donation of Educational Tax Credit from Triple J Saipan in the amount of $5,000. The contribution by one of Saipan’s largest business enterprises is welcome news as the institute is currently expanding on its infrastructure at the Lower Base, Saipan campus. The trade school received the news of such a donation from Triple J CEO and chair Robert H. Jones himself during a recent chance meeting with Agnes McPhetres, NMTI CEO.

“This marks a new era for the institute as it embarks on satisfying the job skill needs of the community. The donation is our commitment to the cause as we anticipate NMTI producing students that we as a business need as the end of the CW period approaches,” said Randy Steele, general manager of Triple J Motors.

NMTI is currently expanding its Culinary Arts classroom to accommodate for the growing interest in the community for such a trade. The current classroom can only hold 10 students, while the newer space can hold a capacity of 20 students during a class session. At the student orientation held recently, the new cohort of students taking on the trade climbed to a total of 18 interested individuals. The program has consistently taken on students in the area and foresees that as more people graduate, the greater the interest in such a career as many of our people enjoy being around the food industry in some capacity.

According to Victorino Cepeda, NMTI director of External Relations, “the funding received from Triple J Saipan will be allocated solely for the expansion of NMTI’s Culinary Arts program. The funds donated get us one step closer towards getting our much needed equipment. We anticipate spending a bit over $40,000 on the equipment alone. Equipment of this nature is not the ordinary household cooking ranges or refrigerators if one can imagine. Providing hands-on training is a bit trickier financially than a regular academic setting as commercial equipment is needed to provide students with the experiential learning required by such careers.”

McPhetres further reiterated the school’s gratefulness for the contribution by saying, “As a CNMI stakeholder, Triple J’s actions speaks volumes. They are committed to the well-being of our islands and the future that lies ahead. I cannot thank them enough as I know there are other worthy organizations out there vying for such financial support as well. So on behalf of the students, faculty, administrators, and NMTI Board of Directors I extend an Un dankulu na si Yu’us ma’ase yan Oloomway reemi.”