Senate committee holds public hearing on Paul Guerrero's NMTI board nomination; focus on workforce, funding and CW phase-out

Saipan — The Senate Standing Committee on Executive Appointments and Government Investigations held a public hearing Jan. 27 to consider Gov. David M. Apatang’s nomination of Paul Andrew C. Guerrero to the Northern Marianas Technical Institute (NMTI) Board of Trustees representing the 3rd Senatorial District.

Committee Chair Sen. Francisco k Cruz opened the hearing and received oral testimony from the nominee, NMTI officials and a string of business and community supporters. John Paul B. Regis, a special assistant to the governor, introduced Guerrero and summarized his private- and public-sector background, saying the administration “kindly seek[s] for your expeditious approval.” Guerrero was sworn for the record and told the committee he looks forward to working with NMTI’s board “to provide a better and future for all of it involved.”

Several business leaders and community representatives urged confirmation. “I can’t think of a better individual for this position,” Alex Sablan of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce said, citing Guerrero’s involvement in training partnerships between IT and E and NMTI. Gregorio Q. Castro, president of Pacific Engineering Group and Services, told senators Guerrero would help align curriculum with private-sector needs. Steve Jang, a small business owner, also voiced full support.

Senators used the hearing to press officials on NMTI’s capacity to expand local vocational training and to replace foreign contract workers if the Commonwealth Worker (CW) program phases out. Vice President of the Senate Sen. Corina Magofna asked Guerrero for his vision to partner public and private sectors to meet NMTI’s mission of producing skilled workers; Guerrero emphasized outreach to middle and high schools and said the institute must “push to get our local residents to attend the technical institute” to become self-sustaining.

NMTI Chief Executive Officer Jodina Atau described program delivery challenges, particularly for Rota and Tinian. Atau said the institute operates a dual-enrollment track and summer exploratory programs but faces instructor shortages on the outer islands and substantial logistical and housing costs when bringing students or instructors to Saipan. “It’s very pricey,” Atau said of delivering in-person instruction to outlying islands, noting attempts to certify resident instructors have sometimes failed at the testing stage.

On funding, Atau told the committee NMTI relies heavily on the CW program as its primary funding source and provided a figure of about $600,000 for FY2025; she said CW funding allocations decline each year. Atau also said accreditation for expanded programs is costly and that NMTI currently employs a limited number of full-time instructors (she cited six full-time instructors). To lift local interest in trades, Atau described a marketing push called “hands on / homegrown,” coordinated with the Department of Labor and the public school system.

Floor remarks and committee questions repeatedly returned to three themes: (1) how to align NMTI curricula with local industry demand so graduates can be hired locally; (2) whether apprenticeship and employer-partnership programs can guarantee placement or encourage employer investment in training; and (3) how NMTI will sustain programs if CW funding diminishes or ends, with senators urging tracking of graduate placement rates after certifications.

Committee staff recorded 11 additional written letters of support for Guerrero from local officials and business leaders and noted no written opposition had been received. The hearing ended with the committee thanking participants and stating all written testimony will be included in the committee’s recommendation to the full Senate. There was no confirmation vote recorded at the hearing; procedural motions to adopt the agenda and to adjourn were made, seconded and carried by voice vote.