THE Saipan Chamber of Commerce and the Public School System said their 2023 Career Exploration Internship Program has successfully immersed public school students in several careers on island.
Sixty students on Saipan, Tinian and Rota are participating in the program, which was launched on June 21 and will conclude on Aug. 4. The program has earned the support of several local small, medium, and large business establishments on Saipan.
On Wednesday, the SCC hosted lunch at the Kensington Hotel in appreciation of the student-interns and the participating local businesses. Each of them were presented with a certificate of participation.
In his remarks, SCC Vice President Dr. Joshua Wise said, “This is a very successful program. Our high school students are able to spend time with actual industries,” which will help prepare them for their career choices.
PSS, through its federally funded Career Technical and Education Program, has expanded its high school-based college and career-focused curriculum by partnering with the SCC and other business entities.
In his remarks, Commissioner of Education Dr. Alfred B. Ada, said the program is “training remarkable interns who will be the future leaders of this Commonwealth.”
He likewise acknowledged the program mentors and industry partners for their “support and guidance” to help prepare the students for future challenges and opportunities.
Also attending the celebration were Board of Education Vice Chairman Herman Atalig, Secretary/Treasurer Gregory Pat. Borja and Member Maisie B. Tenorio.
The businesses that are participating in the internship program are the AP Group LCC, Bank of Saipan, Coca-Cola Beverage Co., Transpacific International Inc., Marianas Pacific Distributors Inc., Paradise Dental Spa, PHI Pharmacy, Plumeria Steak House, Triple J Enterprises Inc., and Pacifica Insurance.
Also participating are the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp., PSS, and the chamber of commerce itself.
SCC Education and Welfare Committee Chair Janice Marie A. Tenorio, who is also IT&E’s customer service and government relations manager, said the 2023 Career Exploration Internship Program is “unique and innovative.”
“This is history in the making: the SCC and PSS have collaborated — thank you Commissioner [Ada] and all our PSS leaders for approving and agreeing with [the intent of the] program,” she said.
Tenorio also praised parents for supporting their children’s decision to participate in the program. “Parents, your children will be able to use this experience in the future. [It] will help them decide what they want to do when they grow up,” she added.
In addition, Tenorio acknowledged the SCC’s Education and Workforce Development Committee members for strongly endorsing the program: Nicole Babauta, Joshua Wise, Eileen Babauta, Velma Palacios, Vickie Izuka, Mercilyn Palec, and Kuan-Hee Han.
Tenorio also praised the chamber’s executive director, Kimberly Camacho, for her “initiative…in seeing the needs of the local workforce,” and her team: Riley Buenaventura and Tasha Bahillo as well as interns Xinyi “Rain” Ni, Malina Tenorio and Elialynn Castro
Camacho said the main goal of their partnership with PSS is to build local capacity. The program’s slogan is “Building Local Capacity One Student at a Time.”
She told the 60 interns that they deserve special tokens of gratitude for participating in the program.
“I am happy to share, on behalf of the program, that you will be awarded stipends…and gas vouchers,” she added.
