Cabras Marine Corporation (CMC), in conjunction with the Guam Community College (GCC) and the Guam Department of Labor, successfully completed its fifth installment of the Ship Repair Transportation Boot Camp graduating a total of 19 students with a focus in Marine Mechanic, Shipwright Carpentry and Electrical trades. On Wednesday, September 21st, a completion ceremony was held at CMC’s new Training Facility in Piti, Guam for the graduating candidates whom are all now employed as Apprentices in CMC’s Apprenticeship Program.
CMC would like to thank our keynote speakers and key leadership for attending and acknowledging the hard work endeavored by our 19 graduates – Our Maga’håga (Governor) Lou Leon Guerrero, Our Sigundo Maga’låhi (Lt. Governor) Josh Tenorio, Mr. Jimmy Smith (Director, Office of Small Business Programs, Department of the Navy), Dr. Mary Okada (GCC President), Joe Cruz (CMC President), and former boot camp graduate Julton Cruz.
Director Smith’s first visit to Guam is very much appreciated as he is visiting on behalf of the Department of the Navy to discuss the goals and opportunities for local small businesses in Guam and the CNMI. During his key note speech, Director Smith highlighted the importance of workforce development to be initiated locally rather than importing external companies to perform services satisfactory with the Department of Defense’s requirements. By developing a capable workforce locally, this positively benefits the local small businesses, local and federal government agencies, and the local community. As the Department of Defense continues to prioritize its build up in Guam and the CNMI as a strategic location in the defense of the United States of America, it is vital that local small businesses continue to deliver efficient services and be held to a high standard of operations. “I am here to tell you folks, the United States needs Guam, and you are a part of building that strength that we need. After you leave here today, I need you to recruit more. Because we are bringing money and we are bringing opportunity. DOD is coming and if you are not going to do it here in town, on the island, don’t make me bring it in from the outside. We don’t want to do that. It’s more effective done here. To be a part of this boot camp ceremony today I can see the promise.” Director Smith voiced his pride in watching CMC grow as a small business and is supportive of CMC’s continuous investments into developing its workforce . To close out his speech, Director Smith encouraged the 19 graduates to spread the word in acquiring more candidates for future boot camps and to take this opportunity seriously.
GCC Ship Repair Boot Camp II completer and CMC Shipwright Carpenter Apprentice Julton Cruz encouraged the new graduates and spoke of his own experience. He says, “I didn’t have much, just like you. I was 18 years old when I started Cabras, fresh out of high school I saw it as an opportunity and that is what Cabras is, an opportunity. An opportunity for a job, experience, to make money. I’ve been in your shoes, getting dropped to work, carpooling. Cabras gave me the opportunity to make money and I bought myself my own car. I support my family now. The people that supported me through the boot camp, I support them.”
Congratulations to our 19 graduates as they embark on an exciting journey as apprentices for CMC’s ship repair department. The 12 weeks of hard work has paid off and must continue. Along with the specific trades, participants received soft skills training in Work Ethic, Work Keys (National Career Readiness Certificate), OSHA-10 and Heart Savers First Aid, CPR/AED. CMC is optimistic and will work closely to mentor and provide further opportunities for this batch of apprentices – Art Aquinde, William Bitlaol, Tomas Blas II, Joseph Camacho, Jashau Cervantes, Robert Michael Cruz, Jacob De Leon, Nathanael Pete Decker, Dominick Dianzon, Adrian Fejeran, Matthew Flynn, Devin Jon Hernandez, Frank Jackson Jr., Dominic Lujan, Josiah Daniel Santos, Jathon Taitague, Michael Taitague, Malcom Tom, and Gregory Washington. Best of luck to these 19 apprentices beginning their careers in Guam’s ship repair industry.
