4 April – Micronesia Youth Service Network Conference

Background:  The Micronesian Youth Services Network (MYSN) was formed to promote, defend and foster the civil rights and well being of all youth; to improve the quality and quantity of youth and family services in the spirit of cooperation and collaboration with consideration of each community’s unique cultural values; to develop opportunities for an exchange of information between young people, organizations, agencies, individuals and coalitions on Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of Belau, the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands; to recognize and support the development of island coalitions and / or youth networks; and to engage in charitable and educational training and provide technical assistance of any and all kinds.

On April 4, 2008. The MYSN held its annual conference at the Marriott Hotel, Guam and invited the Chairs of the Civilian Military to serve on a panel to provide the youth in the region with an overview of the military build up and the training and education opportunities available.  Those in attendance were:

Maria Connelley - Labor, Sub-Committee Chair

Peter Roberto    -     Health Sub-Committee

Chris Duenas    -      Public Safety Sub-Committee

Larry Perez        -     Infrastructure Sub-Committee

Tony Lamorena -      Civilian Military Task Force, Co-Chair

Mary Okada      -      President, Guam Community College

8 April - Court Interpreter Team Meeting

Background:  On October 30, 2007, the GDOL technical team met with representatives from the Superior Court of Guam and University of Guam to discuss the court systems short supply of interpreters to provide consistent interpretation and /or multilingual services.  The Judiciary affirms the importance of protecting the constitutional rights of court participants with limited English proficiency. Guam’s local Judiciary system is addressing the range of issues around client servicing and guiding the stepwise development of the current Judiciary’s Court Interpreter Program (CIP).  The increasing demand for interpreters continue to pressure current practices to formalize a comprehensive CIP program/system sensitive to Guam’s diverse clientele and come at the request of the Judiciary. 

On April 8, 2008, the Court Interpreter Technical Team met as a follow up to the appreciate inquiry held March 2008.  The team discussed next steps in developing and implementing the pilot project.  

8 April – Private/Public Partnership 

Background:  The Guam Department of Labor continues to partner with private sector employers to provide technical assistance on various Labor regulations.  On April 8, 2008, staff members from GDOL Workers Compensation Commission (WCC) and Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) Onsite provided technical assistance to Pacific Tyre.  Topics covered: WCC requirements for reporting injuries and filing of forms and OSHA programs and benefits.  OSHA staff also provided an over view of OSHA Standards in the workplace.  

14 April – Passport to Careers (PTC) Partnership Meeting:

Background:  Carrying out the vision of Governor Camacho for Guam's youth, through the Guam Workforce State plan and plan of work, the Youth PTC program began in summer 2005 and is a year-round learning continuum program for youth ages 14-21 (In-School) to provide  youth with education/training/employment opportunities.  The partnership is with Guam Public School System, GDOL/AHRD, Guam Community College, University of Guam and numerous employers.  The program provides work exposure to the demand driven occupations in:

    * Nursing (Allied Health)
    * Information Technology
    * Construction Trades
    * Teaching
    * Business Technology
    * Finance/Administration
    * Toursim/Hospitality


The intent of the PTC program is to build a pipeline of youth opportunities building on employability skills and hands on experience beginning at High School with entry during the summer and continuing on during the Winter, Spring Breaks.  This allows focus on academic studies while providing the employability skills that lead them into Post Secondary Education if chosen, Apprenticeship Programs and/or Occupational Skills Training for certification.

Now in its fourth year, the PTC partners met on April 14, 2008 met to discuss next steps in growing the PTC program participation among youth and to discuss program elements that could be provided to strengthen and sustain the program.  The PTC team also announced the summer session beginning on June 9, 2008.

15 April – US DOL ETA Audit Findings & Final Determination:

Background:  The US Department of Labor, Employment Training Administration and GovGuam auditors continue to provide oversight on accountability of federal funds with regard to compliance with statutory and regulatory program and financial requirements for its use.  Annually, the Government of Guam conducts an audit of Government Agencies in accordance with Office of Management & Budget Single Audit Act of 1984, P.L. 98-502, and the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996, P.L. 104-156.  Circular A-133 is issued under the authority of sections 503, 1111, and 7501 et seq. of title 31, United States Code, and Executive Orders 8248 and 11541 for those agencies who expend $500,000. in a fiscal year.  

On April 15, 2008, GDOL/AHRD received its final audit determination reducing the initial determination for program year 2006, reflecting GDOL/AHRD Your browser may not support display of this image.major systems change across federal programs to improve effectiveness and public accountability.

16 April - Partnership Meeting – Mayor’s Council of Guam

Background:  The Guam Department of Labor, Guam Employment Service Office (GDOL-GES), is the state employment agency funded by the US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration.  The purpose of GDOL-GES office is to assist job-seekers and employers by providing assistance in job placements and recruitment.  GDOL-GES also provides outreach to strengthen partnerships and coordinates with the Mayors for the GDOL staff to conduct workshops at the village level.

On April 16, 2008, GDOL-GES partnered with Guam Mayor’s Council to provide technical assistance and outreach at the village level to prepare citizens for job placements.  In addition, GDOL-GES has launched the Employment Readiness Workshops to assist job-seekers in preparing for employment.

18 April – Nursing Summit Application:

Background:  The U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Center to Champion Nursing in America, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, issued an invitation to inform of an upcoming event that addresses the critical issue of expanding nursing education capacity.  Nationwide, many college and university nursing programs do not have the physical space, faculty, clinical resources, or funds to enroll and educate the numbers of students needed to meet future nursing demands.  To address this challenge, state and regional stakeholders are working together to develop creative strategies to help expand nursing education capacity in their states.  In recognition of the importance of these efforts, a national Nursing Education Capacity Summit will take place June 26-27, 2008 in Washington, DC.

The Nursing Education Summit will provide a forum for state teams to share best practices, consult with experts, learn about innovative strategies, and develop and refine their own plans to effectively address the growing issue of nursing education capacity. The first day of the meeting will be devoted to an engaging discussion of four key aspects of increasing nursing education capacity:  1) Strategic Partnerships and Resource Alignment; 2) The Role of Policy and Regulation; 3) Increasing Faculty Capacity and Diversity; and 4) Education Redesign.  On the second day, teams will gather individually to discuss what they learned and develop action plans.  On April 18, 2008, Team Guam submitted its application to attend the Nursing Education Summit in Arlington, VA.  The applications will be reviewed and a response should be received by USDOL by May 2008.

21 April – Pacific Mayor’s Conference

On April 21, 2008,  the GDOL Alien Labor & Processing Division (ALPCD) Administrator attended the Pacific Mayor’s Conference and presented an overview of the processes and regulatory requirements of ALPCD relative to Alien Labor.  Mayor’s from the pacific region to include the Philippines, attended the conference.  The presence of GDOL is part of the ongoing efforts to provide outreach and technical assistance to private/public sector employees on the Labor requirements

22 April - Labor and Immigration Subcommittee of the Guam Interagency Task Force Request for Information

On April 22, 2008. the Chairman on Labor and Immigration Subcommittee Interagency Task Force, Mr. Mike Gilroy, US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration requested for feedback regarding GDOL/ARHD accomplishments with regard to the military buildup plans.  The information gathered is to keep senior leadership at Interior and DoD informed on what remains to be done and, most importantly, how much funding will be needed.  The information is valuable and would help inform an overall work plan on Labor and Immigration issues.  Responses due no later than Wednesday, April 30, 2008 by 2 p.m.

23-25 April – 9th Micronesia Chief Executive Summit, Koror Palau:

Background:  The Chief Executives of Palau, Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI), Guam, Yap, Federated States of Micronesia held the Ninth Western Micronesian Chief Executives Summit in Palau on April 23-25, 2008. The summit continues to reaffirm the commitment of each of the participants, on behalf of their people and their governments to establish closer ties, enhance existing ties, expand future discussions and agree on initiatives for the benefit of the entire Micronesian region.

The Regional Workforce Development Council (RWDC) met in preparation for the panel discussion with the Chief Executives.  The RWDC met at the Palau Community College, to plan next steps.  A resolution and charter were presented to the Chief Executives in an effort to assist the RWDC in planning and implementation efforts relative to workforce development.  The charter articulates the proposed structure of the RWDC with the Guam Department of Labor taking the lead in the administrative functions of RWDC until a final resolution of the administrative function is development and approved.  During panel discussions, the Chief Executives inquired about the ongoing activities of the RWDC relative to job opportunities and sustainability.  The Chair of the Labor Sub-Committee, Guam Civilian Military Task Force, reported that Guam continues to provide updates to region partners on training and education activities on Guam with regard to military growth.  The Chair also provided background on the Regional Innovations Planning Grant available to assist the RWDC in addressing Workforce Innovations in Regional Economic Development (WIRED).  

RWDC Members Present:

Josephine Ulengchong – Palau, Director, Workforce Investment Act

Maria Connelley, Guam Department of Labor, Chair Labor Sub-Committee CMTF

Marie Maddison – Republic of the Marshall Islands

Jesse Sidney – Education Director, Pohnpei Education Dept.

Vera Topasna – Special Projects Coordinator, Labor Sub-Committee, CMTF

27 April - National Volunteer Week – ServGuam Commission

Background:       George W. Bush, President of the United States issued a proclamation on April 27 through May 3, 2008, as National Volunteer Week.  This proclamation calls upon all citizens to recognize and celebrate the important work that volunteers do every day throughout our country.   Through volunteer work, Americans can demonstrate the kindness and generosity that makes our Nation great.  Mentoring a child, teaching someone to read, visiting the elderly, feeding the hungry, and finding shelter for the homeless are all examples of how Americans can and do aid those in need.  Americans are volunteering in record numbers.  Each year, millions of Americans volunteer, and more of our fellow citizens are discovering that the pursuit of happiness leads to the path of service.  The cumulative effort of the love and compassion from our Nation's volunteers will help secure a more hopeful future for all our citizens.

On April 28, 2008, Governor Felix P. Camacho signed a proclamation and celebrated the Guam volunteers of the year.  The ServGuam Commission joined the Governor in the signing and celebration at the Hagatna Shopping Center.

30 April – State Department – Request for Information

On April 30, 2008, Melinda Lucke, Country Desk Officer, Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands requested information on training for local and foreign workers.  The following questions were sent to the Guam Department of Labor, Guam Community College and Department of Interior as partners in workforce development for the military build up:

1.       What USG accreditation and certification standards and requirements for workers on Guam construction project, particularly those in skilled and semi-skilled positions such as construction workers, electricians and plumbers?  What other jobs may be required and what are their certification requirement – these jobs will include the hospitality workers, educators, care givers, social workers, child minders, business managers, etc.?

2.      Do workers in specific areas need to be accredited or certified and if so through what type of institution?  Is there a possibility to get a list of the types of institutions or a sample list?

3.      If workers are trained or graduate from a foreign institution, such as a vocational or technical school, are they eligible to work in Guam?  If so, is there a list of these foreign institutions or a sample list from the Oceania region?

4.      If they are not eligible, are there programs to raise their skill or education level to meet USG standards?  If such bridging programmes exist, what would be a reasonable duration for these courses? Your browser may not support display of this image.

5.      Do the same rules apply for workers “inside and outside the fence”?

6.      Do special provisions apply for Guam and what steps need to be taken to address local requirements?