Fourteen employees from a total of eight manufacturing companies have successfully completed the Diploma Course in Manufacturing Excellence (Level 4). The awards ceremony was held on Monday, 11 November at the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry.
This 11-unit Diploma, accredited by City and Guilds, is a 360-hour guided learning programme spread out over a period of two years. It was created to equip candidates with the skills and knowledge required to better understand and critically analyze various aspects of manufacturing, ranging from strategy to systems and techniques.
The Diploma in Manufacturing Excellence aims at validating informal and non-formal learning. It is based on learning outcomes and is a hybrid of class work and hands-on mentored training, targeting employees within the industry. It provides benefits both for employers and the employees and as a result, the successful students have been prepared to participate and contribute to the development process of manufacturing at their place of work in the knowledge that, with the right level of maturity, one could progress to higher levels of responsibility.
The module titles include Operations Management – Manufacturing Strategy, Internationalisation in Manufacturing, Manufacturing Management, Materials in Manufacturing, Quality Management, Energy and Water Management, Introduction to Lean Manufacturing, Financial Management, Product Development and Innovation, Supply Chain Management and Project Management.
Speaking at the awards ceremony for the third group of employees who benefited from this programme, Stephen Cachia, MCAST principal and CEO mentioned the importance of lifelong learning, the re-skilling of the workforce and increasing the employability of the worker. He stated that through these types of courses, industry in Malta stands a better chance to remain competitive through a relevant and skilled workforce. David Curmi, president of the Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry stated that Malta will benefit from a relevant and skilled workforce that will provide industry with a better chance of building and retaining a more resilient and competitive position.
The certificates were presented by Mr Cachia, Ronald Curmi, MCAST registrar and Mr D. Curmi.