Business Survey Conducted by State Workforce Development Board
The Governor’s State Workforce Development Board (SWDB) has published the 2021 Business Needs Assessment (BNA) survey on the Department of Labor’s website at www.marianaslabor.net for public view.
The purpose of the BNA Survey is to get a better understanding of the businesses and nonprofits’ current and projected needs so that the Department of Labor (DOL) Workforce Investment Agency
(WIA) and the SWDB can support the training, employment, and retention of employees in the CNMI. The survey questions were approved by the Department of Labor’s WIA and SWDB and made into a paper and online version. The online link was distributed individually to over 100 business contacts within the Saipan Chamber of Commerce and the NMI Society of Human Resources (SHRM) and through the Marianas Variety and Saipan Tribune newspapers.
A total of 109 individual responses were received through the BNA survey. Overall findings included the companies’ Impact from COVID-19. Current Employment Landscape, Current Vacancies. Current Training Needs, and the Current Projected Needs Over the Next Five (5) Years. Despite the economic uncertainty in the CNMI, there are recommendations that would allow the SWDB and DOL WIA to continue to respond to the private sector training needs. These training needs include prioritizing soft skills training at all ages and education levels; in-house training opportunities; management training; and technical and trades education.
“It is the vision of the Governor’s State Workforce Development Board (SWDB) to promote a workforce development system that meets the need of businesses, job seekers, and workers to support a strong and vibrant economy in the CNMI Accordingly the BNA survey was necessary to identify the needs of the local labor market and coordinate and align workforce investment initiatives to focus federal investments in training programs that are most in demand as we continue to respond to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic which began in 2020,” said SWDB Chairwoman Josephine Mesta.
Secretary of Labor Vicky Benavente stated, “The Business Needs Assessment Survey showed that employers are optimistic in their future plans, and most employers reported at least 80% of their workforce are CNMI-based workers.” Benavente added, “The Survey also cited the top concerns of employers regarding recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. These concerns ranged from “Future COVID-19 Outbreaks (53%), the Date to Resume Tourism Operations (42%), and Rehiring, Replacing, and Retaining Workforce (39%).”
For more information contact the CNMI Department of Labor Workforce Investment Agency at tel. (670) 664-1704/1705 or (670) 664-1711/1712 or email cnmiwioa@dol.gov.mp.