SAIPAN — Things are looking up at the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation, waaaay up, as a dozen employees have completed an intensive Crane Operator Certification Training, strengthening CUC’s ability to safely maintain critical power, water, and wastewater infrastructure across the islands.
CUC said the two-week course, held Nov. 3–14, brought together staff from Power Transmission & Distribution, Power Generation, Water, and Wastewater divisions. The training combined classroom instruction, hands-on exercises, and written and practical exams, culminating in a skills assessment at the CUC Pole Yard in Lower Base, where participants demonstrated safe crane operations in controlled scenarios.
The certification was led by Ronald Rowley of Nationwide Crane Training, a nationally recognized provider and sponsor of the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO). Over the course, employees built competencies in load handling, equipment inspection, safe operating practices, and emergency procedures that directly support day-to-day operations throughout the Commonwealth.
CUC leadership commended the employees for their dedication to professional development, saying the training will enhance operational safety and boost the capabilities of utility teams on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. The agency said the investment in workforce skills ultimately supports the delivery of reliable and resilient power, water, and wastewater services to customers across the CNMI.
