June 5, 2023

The Guam Department of Labor (GDOL) is currently working with FEMA and the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) to stand up a Disaster Unemployment Assistance program and will make announcements as soon as more information becomes available, including eligibility, application processes, accessibility, contact information, timeline, coverage, and other information. At this time, we encourage individuals to document any losses in employment or wages due to the effects of Typhoon Mawar.

For more information, contact GDOL at 671-475-7000/1 or visit dol.guam.gov.

For Immediate Release – March 7, 2023

Hagåtña, Guam – A student from Guam is off to Hawaii to follow his dreams in the hospitality industry
while studying in the Job Corps Program.

David Santos left today to the Hawaii Job Corps, Maui Campus and will be studying culinary and
hospitality. A 2019 graduate of Southern High School, Santos waited two years to enroll in Job Corps but
was unsuccessful because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He had learned about Job Corps through a friend
who also enrolled in the program. Once another opportunity became available, Santos immediately
contacted the American Job Center to apply for the Job Corps Program.

“The pandemic forced the program to shift for the safety and health of the students but since classes have
opened back up, we’ve seen enrollment numbers climb. I’m really glad that David was patient and did not
give up on the program. He is now taking the first step to a successful future,” said Guam Department of
Labor (GDOL) Director David Dell’Isola. “I highly encourage students and young people to take
advantage of this opportunity to learn skills in a structured environment that will guarantee them a
successful career.”

Job Corps
Job Corps is a tuition-free career training program that prepares eligible young people ages 18 through 24
for meaningful careers in various industries while attending classes off island with all expenses covered.
Room and board, basic medical care, transportation, meals, and stipends are all provided at no cost to the
student. The program also helps students complete their high school education and provides transitional
support services. Students are sent home during winter break for two weeks to be with their families with
airfare covered.

The Hawaii Job Corps centers also recently launched the Pharmacy Technician Registered Apprenticeship
Program in partnership with CVS Health and is actively recruiting for this program. Selected participants
undergo four weeks of classroom instruction for phase 1 and then move on to phase 2, during which time
they are paid a full-time salary while training and earning certifications for 8 to 12 months to become a
pharmacy technician. Tuition, training, room and board, meals, transportation, and basic health care are
covered.

Recruitment is also ongoing for participants in the Tongue Point Job Corps in Astoria, Oregon for the
Seamanship Training Program. The duration of the program varies from 18 to 24 months, depending on
the applicant’s progress and choice of certifications. Upon completion at the Oregon campus, cadets will
be qualified to work in the maritime industry in positions that have high rates of pay in flexible work
locations. Salaries in these positions can range from $40,000 to $100,000 annually.

For more information about the Job Corps Programs, or how to enroll, visit the American Job Center on
the 3rd floor of GCIC Building, 414 W Soledad Ave in Hagåtña, call 671-475-7000/1, send an email
to ajc.training@nulldol.guam.gov, or visit https://dol.guam.gov/employment-and-training/job-corps/.

David Santos Job Corps: From left to right: GDOL Deputy Director Jerry Toves, Employment Development Worker Linda Salas, newly enrolled Hawaii Job Corps student David Santos, Employment Program Administrator Theresa Camacho.

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For Immediate Release – February 6, 2023

Hagåtña, Guam – The Guam Department of Labor (GDOL) is actively recruiting unemployed senior citizens interested in looking for part-time work to participate in the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP).

SCSEP is a community service and work-based training program for unemployed senior citizens who meet certain eligibility criteria, need employment training, and have significant barriers to employment.

“We want to help our manåmko’ who are in need of work or training to live independent, sustainable lives. SCSEP has helped hundreds of senior citizens who have struggled to pay bills or afford housing. In addition to monetary benefits, working in retirement age has health benefits that keep our elderly population mentally sharp and physically active. SCSEP can assist our manåmko’ who may have been out of work for a while and would like to ease back into the workforce or learn a new skill,” said GDOL Director David Dell’Isola.

Qualified participants are placed into work-based training programs within the Government of Guam or a non-profit organization with 501(c)(3) designation. The senior citizens enrolled in the program will receive minimum wage salaries and work an average of 20 hours per week. Wages earned by SCSEP participants are exempted from income eligibility determination for federal housing programs and/or food stamps.

To qualify, participants must be at least 55 years of age, a resident of Guam, unemployed, meet income requirements, and have barriers to employment.

Interested applicants can visit the American Job Center on the 3^rd floor of the GCIC Building in Hagåtña, 414 West Soledad Avenue, Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., call 671-475-7000/1, or email scsep@nulldol.guam.gov. For more information, visit dol.guam.gov.

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For Immediate Release – July 13, 2022

Guam Department of Labor Reminds Employers to Comply with Work Authorization Laws

Hagåtña, Guam – The Guam Department of Labor (GDOL) is stepping up efforts to identify potential violations of labor laws, particularly in areas of employment authorization. Employers are reminded that they are required to only hire individuals who may legally work in the U.S., which include U.S. citizens, noncitizen nationals, lawful permanent residents, and aliens authorized to work.

To comply with the law, employers must verify the identity and employment authorization of each person they hire; complete and retain a Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification for each employee; and refrain from discriminating against individuals on the basis of national origin or citizenship.

Additionally, GDOL is aware of and investigating recent events involving foreign nationals entering Guam’s borders from the CNMI by boat. While the work statuses of these individuals are being verified, employers and contractors are again reminded that they are responsible for ensuring all employees they hire are authorized to work in the U.S. and Guam.

In addition to federal penalties employers may face for violating federal work authorization laws, Guam law allows for licensing sanctions of businesses if it is determined during a worksite inspection that an employee does not possess a lawful work status. A first offense is subject to a license sanction fee of $1,000 per worker without lawful status and a possible 30-day suspension of the employer’s business license. A second offense is subject to a license sanction fee of $2,000 per worker without lawful status and a possible 60-day suspension of the employer’s business license. A third offense is subject to automatic revocation of the employer’s business license.

GDOL’s Alien Labor Processing and Certification Division (ALPCD) will be visiting job sites and conducting inspections to ensure compliance with local and federal laws and regulations. To report any potential violations of work authorization or alien labor laws, or suspicious activities, contact ALPCD at 671-475-8003 or via email at alpcd@nulldol.guam.gov.

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