Hagåtña, Guam – The Guam Department of Labor (GDOL) proudly celebrated National Employ Older Workers Week with a series of events highlighting the value and contributions of older workers to Guam’s workforce, starting with a proclamation signing ceremony held last Friday at the Office of the Governor of Guam, affirming the Leon Guerrero-Tenorio Administration’s commitment to supporting the employment of older workers through various initiatives.

To close out National Employ Older Workers Week, a special luncheon for Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) participants was sponsored and hosted by Senator Sabina Flores Perez, Oversight Chair of the Committee on Labor, at Capitol Kitchen in Barrigada. The Mayors’ Council of Guam was also a main sponsor.

“I want to recognize all our manamko’ who are part of SCSEP and continue to pursue a career. Our older workers are an essential part of the workforce and provide a valuable cultural connection to the younger generation that can only be taught through generational knowledge and experience,” said GDOL Director David Dell’Isola. “Older workers abide by a work ethic that is reliable, disciplined, and rooted in years of experience. Younger workers and those with less experience can learn valuable skills, professionalism, and resilience by observing and working alongside them.”

National Employ Older Workers Week is held annually the last full week of September, recognizing the vital role of older workers in the workforce. National Employ Older Workers Week aims to increase awareness of this labor segment and develop innovative strategies to tap it. This year’s theme is “Embracing Experience, Empowering Futures.”

At today’s luncheon, SCSEP participants were given Legislative Certificates of Recognition by Senator Perez, and gift bags courtesy of the Guam Visitors Bureau and Department of Public Health and Social Services. Co-sponsors of the event include Senators Chris Barnett and Dwayne San Nicolas.

“We are so grateful to everyone for making these events such a success. First, I want to acknowledge Governor Lou Leon Guerrero and Lt. Governor Josh Tenorio for recognizing our manamko’ for their hard work and passion to keep our workforce alive. I also want to thank Senator Perez, the Mayors’ Council, and Senators Barnett and San Nicolas for treating our older workers to a wonderful lunch. Without them, this would not have been possible. Finally, our staff at GDOL deserve credit as well for such a well-run program,” said Deputy Director Jerry Toves.

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Year-Round In-School Youth Winter Session Applications to Open September 18

Hagåtña, Guam – The Guam Department of Labor (GDOL) will be accepting applications for the SY2024-25 Year-Round In-School Youth (ISY) Program Winter Session beginning September 18, 2024. The Year-Round ISY Program provides high school students with work readiness, occupational skills training, and summer employment within each school year.

The ISY Program Winter Session will include work readiness workshops that will prepare students for real-world employment skills such as resume writing, interview preparation, work ethics, communication skills, respecting peers and more. Eligible students must be enrolled in the 11^th or 12^th grade, between the ages of 14 to 21, and meet other criteria.

“We look forward to our upcoming Winter Session as an opportunity to equip students with essential skills that will set them up for success,” said David Dell’Isola, GDOL Director. “We are committed to doing even more by enhancing our workshops and providing greater hands-on experiences. Our goal is to ensure our students not only gain practical skills but also leave the program feeling confident and ready to thrive in their future careers.”

The In-School Youth Winter Session is a paid occupational skills workshop and will be held from December 23, 2024 to January 3, 2025. The deadline to apply is October 18, 2024.

Students must meet certain eligibility requirements. Interested students should speak to their school counselors to learn more about the program. The application can be found online at the following link: http://bit.ly/inschoolyouth. 

For more information, contact the American Job Center at 671-475-7000/1, or visit the AJC at the GCIC Building, 414 W Soledad Ave, 3^rd Floor, in Hagåtña.

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The Year-Round In-School Youth (ISY) Program Spring Session concluded last week with a cohort of 101 students who successfully completed training, marking a significant milestone in their journey toward career readiness and personal development. High school juniors and seniors participated in three different courses to prepare them for the paid Summer Work Experience scheduled to begin in June.

Partner agencies and organizations who provided the course training include the GCA Trades Academy, Pacific Human Resources Services (PHRS), and the Guam Community College (GCC).

“I want to congratulate all the students who have participated in the In-School Youth Spring Session and have demonstrated their dedication and readiness for the upcoming Summer Work Experience. Through our successful collaboration, these young minds have honed vital skills and knowledge that will shape their future endeavors,” said Guam Department of Labor Acting Director Gerard Toves.

GCA Trades Academy’s courses focused on construction-related subjects, which were a continuation of the ISY Winter Session courses. A total of 31 students enrolled and completed the core curriculum.

PHRS provided 23 students with Career Readiness courses that use practical skills such as interview and preparation, listening, resume writing, digital etiquette, and networking for career and life success.

GCC’s workshop was related to career interest inventory, resume writing activity and research, cybersecurity, time management, and work ethic. A total of 47 students participated in and completed GCC’s workshop.

The In-School Youth Employment Program is a year-round program open to students enrolled in the 11th or 12th grade and between the ages of 16 to 18. Other eligibility criteria must also be met.

Students interested in the program can fill out an application online at the following link: http://bit.ly/inschoolyouth.
To learn more about the Year-Round ISY Program, contact the American Job Center at 671-475-7000/1 or ajc.training@nulldol.guam.gov, or visit the AJC at the GCIC Building, 414 W Soledad Ave, 3rd Floor, in Hagåtña. 

The Guam Department of Labor (GDOL), along with the Guam Workforce Development Board (GWDB), announces that the Draft Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) State Plan is open for public comment from March 1, 2024 through March 15, 2024.

The Draft WIOA State Plan 2024-2027 can be viewed online at dol.guam.gov/stateplan. All comments must be received by 5 p.m., Friday, March 15, 2024. Public comments may be submitted through the submission form online at dol.guam.gov/stateplan, email at stateplan@nulldol.guam.gov, or by postal mail at 414 W Soledad Ave, Suite 808, Hagåtña, Guam, 96910. To view a hard copy of the proposed plan, visit GDOL at 414 W Soledad Ave, Suite 808, GCIC Building, Hagåtña, Guam.  

WIOA is designed to improve the coordination of employment and training services across federal agencies, strengthen collaboration with state and local partners, and provide Americans with increased access to training, education, and other support to succeed in the job market and their careers.

In Guam, the GWDB, composed of a diverse group of members from the public, private, and non-profit sectors, oversees and guides WIOA activities. By law, each state’s or territory’s governor must submit a WIOA State Plan to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor that outlines a four-year strategy for their respective jurisdiction’s workforce development system. States and territories must have approved plans to receive funding for core programs.

The GWDB is proposing a Combined Plan to include:

●       Title I of WIOA: The Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth Programs (Administered by the Guam Department of Labor)

●       Title II of WIOA: The Adult Education and Family Literacy Act Program (Administered by the Guam Community College)

●       Title III of WIOA: Wagner-Peyser Act Employment Service (Administered by the Guam Department of Labor)

●       Title IV of WIOA: Vocational Rehabilitation (Administered by the Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities/Department of Vocational Rehabilitation)

●       Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program (Administered by the Department of Public Health and Social Services)

●       Employment and Training Programs under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Administered by the Department of Public Health and Social Services)

●       Jobs for Veterans State Grants Program (Administered by the Guam Department of Labor)

●       Senior Community Service Employment Program (Administered by the Guam Department of Labor)

For more information, contact GDOL at 671-300-4606 or visit dol.guam.gov/stateplan. 

30 Positions to be Filled Through NDWG Program

The GUAM STRONG Initiative, a project to help repair households impacted by Typhoon Mawar, is now
recruiting workers through the National Dislocated Worker Grant (NDWG) Program.

The initiative, Getting Urgent Assistance Mobilized to Support Typhoon Repairs ON Guam (GUAM
STRONG), was first launched in August 2023 through coordinated efforts between Guam Homeland
Security/Office of Civil Defense, the Mayors’ Council, and FEMA to provide minimal essential repairs to make
homes safe, sanitary and functional. Participants were pre-selected through a review process based on a
pre-identified need. The process prioritized the elderly, veterans, and those with access and functional needs.
Repairs on homes were approved until November 2023 and performed by skilled volunteers from non-profit
organizations.

GUAM STRONG has now expanded to begin recruiting workers through the NDWG Program so work can
continue through February 25, 2024. The Guam Department of Labor, in partnership with FEMA, is hiring 30
individuals to assist team leads to continue repairs on homes damaged by Typhoon Mawar. NDWG participants
must meet certain criteria to qualify.

The priority for eligibility will be given to:

1. Individuals temporarily or permanently laid off as a consequence of the disaster declaration
   (Typhoon Mawar)
2. Dislocated Worker/Displaced Homemaker
   Dislocated Worker is an individual who has been terminated or laid off or has received a notice of
   termination or layoff from employment.
   Displaced homemaker is an individual who has worked in the home for a number of years and suddenly
   finds that they are the primary source of household income.
3. Long-term Unemployed
   Unemployed at the time of eligibility determination; and
   Has been unemployed for 12 or more non-consecutive weeks over the last 26 weeks; and
   Has made an effort to find a job; or
   Is an incarcerated individual within 6 months of release
   OR
   Is underemployed at the time of eligibility determination; and
   Has been unemployed for 12 or more non-consecutive weeks of the last 26 weeks; and
   Has made an effort to find a job with self-sustaining wages/hours.

Interested applicants are encouraged to apply at the American Job Center (AJC) located at the GCIC Building,
414 W Soledad Ave, 3rd Floor, Hagåtña, from Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more
information, contact the AJC at (671) 475-7000/1.

Visit the following links for the latest information:

• Governor’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/govlouguam
• GHS/OCD Website: https://ghs.guam.gov/
• GHS/OCD Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GHSOCD/