SAIPAN – NMTech, the CNMI’s only technical trade school, is now accepting registration for its Spring 2026 semester, which begins January 20, following a graduation ceremony Thursday night that saw 111 students receive certificates across multiple programs.
The school offers courses in culinary arts, automotive technology, cosmetology, and construction trades, as well as Google career certificates and Certifort certifications. NMTech operates programs for high school students and partners with Northern Marianas College, Island Training Solutions, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, and the Department of Labor.
Ben Babauta, representing NMTech, and Travis Jones appeared on Good Morning Marianas Friday to discuss the school’s offerings and upcoming semester with host Brad Ruszala. The graduation ceremony Thursday night awarded approximately 125 certificates to the 111 graduates, with some students completing multiple courses.
“As a whole collectively we are growing the organization every year. Our numbers of graduates increase every year,” Babauta said during the NMI News Service broadcast.
The school is preparing to relocate to a new facility in Koblersville, with the first of five prefabricated buildings expected to arrive on island next week. The buildings, manufactured in the Philippines by contractor HBR, should be erected by January, with additional buildings arriving monthly.
“They got a big enough warehouse where they pre-assemble the buildings in the Philippines in their warehouse. John witnesses the pre-assembly it all gets stood up and put together and then they take it back down and create it up and ship it over,” Jones said, referring to HBR’s John Saluete.
Jones emphasized the urgency of training local workers ahead of potential changes to the Commonwealth Worker (CW) program in 2029. “If there’s really talking about the CW ending and we have to train, Ben and I have said we have to train train train and we have to get people in these classes and enrolled because it’s literally thousands of jobs that I think we have to replace in just a few years,” Jones told Ruszala.
For Spring 2026, NMTech will offer auto core as an introduction to automotive industries, cosmetology covering hair, skin, makeup and nails, and culinary arts including protein preparation, knife cuts, and menu costing. Construction courses include the National Center for Construction Education and Research core curriculum, which is prerequisite to carpentry, electrical, HVAC, heavy equipment operations, and welding classes.
Construction courses run eight to ten weeks for core classes and four to six months for specialized trades. Classes meet 2.5 hours per day, Mondays through Thursdays, with morning sessions starting at 9 a.m., afternoon at 2 p.m., and evening at 4:30 or 5 p.m.
“Even if you are a full-time employee, you could come to class at 5 p.m. and still do both at the same time,” Babauta said.
The school does not require a high school diploma or GED for enrollment, though students must be at least 16 years old with parental consent if under 18. NMTech partners with NMC and Adult Basic Education to help students obtain GEDs when needed for employment.
Each program includes internships ranging from 60 to 240 hours with industry partners. “Our goal in NMTech is to increase the CNMI workforce and train the CNMI workforce,” Babauta said.
Multiple scholarship opportunities are available. The Workforce Development Scholarship Training Program, in partnership with NMC, can cover up to 99 percent of tuition for construction students who qualify. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act program through the Department of Labor also provides up to 99 percent tuition coverage.
NMTech is launching the Grit and Grind Scholarship for Spring 2026 in partnership with Glimpses of Guam and the Northern Marianas Insurance Association, awarding twelve $500 scholarships.
The school uses a 50-50 testing approach with both written and practical exams. “In culinary we actually do a knife cut test. Just because you might not be academically inclined but you’re good with your hands doesn’t mean you can’t get into the workforce,” Babauta explained on the morning show.
NMTech also operates a program at the Department of Corrections, teaching core carpentry and electrical skills to inmates. “We believe in second chances and we are partners with them. Once they’re out we can help them transition back into society and then also help them continue classes,” Babauta said.
Students have completed community projects including stage construction using repurposed FEMA materials and a Thanksgiving meal donation to Guma Esperanza.
Registration is open now at www.nmtechcnmi.org and closes January 12. Prospective students can click “Apply Now” on the website to begin the admissions process.
For more information, visit the NMTech campus in Lower Base or check the website.
