PSS Co-Op Program recognizes businesses and agencies for training support
PSS photo
120 students pose for a photo with representatives of businesses and government agencies that hosted them for on-the-job training during the recently concluded Fall 2024 semester of the Public School System’s Cooperative Education Program in a ceremony at Kensington Hotel on Jan. 21, 2025. Also in photo are Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho, PSS Cooperative Education Program Coordinator Brandon Nicholas and Senior Director for Instructional Services Dr. Rizalina Liwag.
(PSS) — Last fall, 35 private companies and government departments provided 120 high school students an invaluable career pathway exposure and training through the Public School System’s Cooperative Education Program.
On Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, Program Coordinator Brandon Nicholas and Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho honored the participating employers for their “enduring partnership that continues to grow with our students desire to learn, grow, and succeed in life.”
“We are extremely fortunate to have partners like you…and those throughout the CNMI, who support our efforts to give our students every chance to learn and thrive in life,” Commissioner Camacho said.
Launched 54 years ago, “the Co-Op…is one of the school district’s oldest programs, if not the oldest. It has developed over time to serve as a support system for our students, our schools, parents and families who want the best for their children — our students,” Camacho said.
Nicholas said participating students from Kagman High School, Marianas High School, Saipan Southern High School and Grace Christian Academy were assigned to 35 companies for on-the-job training.
“The PSS Co-Op Program wishes to extend its heartfelt gratitude to our partners on all three islands for another successful semester of training and partnership,” Nicholas said.
The program was pioneered on Saipan by its oldest public high school, Marianas High School, in 1971. It became a PSS-wide program in 2013.
In recent years, it was expanded to integrate classroom instruction with supervised on-the-job training for public high school students on Saipan, Tinian and Rota.
The program is federally funded through PSS’ Federal Programs Office.
Nicholas said the program is “extremely proud of the fact that it continues to receive unprecedented levels of commitment from private businesses and government agencies.”
Nicholas and Camacho acknowledged the following businesses and government agencies for yet another successful fall program:
American Pizza & Grill, Brabu Pharmacy, Cha Café & Bakery, Commonwealth Healthcare Corp., CNMI Law Revision Commission, Commonwealth Cancer Association, Commonwealth Election Commission, Commonwealth Ports Authority, Commonwealth Utilities Corporation, Coral Ocean Resort, Department of Finance, Department of Public Safety, DFS Group Ltd. Saipan, Downtown Market, Gold’s Gym-Saipan, Hafa Adai Roasting Company, IT&E-Saipan, Joeten Enterprises, Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, Karidat Social Services, Latte Built Fitness & Nutrition, Law Office of Robert Torres, Marianas Visitors Authority, Northern Marianas Protection & Advocacy Systems Inc., Northern Marianas Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence, Northern Marianas College, Pacific Islands Club, Pacifica Insurance Underwriters Inc. Paradise Dental Spa, PHI Pharmacy, Plumeria Steakhouse/Ete Café, Saipan Mayor’s Office, Saipan Southern High School, Saipan World Resort, and Salt & Barber.
Certificates of appreciation were handed to the participating employers on Jan. 21 at Kensington Hotel. Joining Camacho and Nicholas in presenting the certificates was Dr. Rizalina Liwag, PSS senior director for instructional services.
Nicholas said businesses and government agencies interested in partnering with the Co-Op Program for the Fall 2025 semester can send their inquiries to brandon.nicholas@cnmipss.org/.