MCAST held the Aviation Maintenance Presentation of Awards Ceremony at MCAST Main Campus on Wednesday.

Sixty-four students received certificates for successfully completing the following courses: MCAST Aircraft Maintenance Technician Course (Leading to EASA Part -66 CAT B 1.1 Examinations), MCAST Aircraft Maintenance Technician Course (Leading to EASA Part -66 CAT B2 Avionics Examinations) and EASA Part-66 Aircraft Maintenance Category 'A' Licence Course.

Since 2004 the College took up the challenge to provide highly-trained workforce for this fast growing industry. To date the College has already trained over 450 students who are presently working with airlines and MRO’s, while another 70 students are currently enrolled on the College’s full-time and part-time courses.

The College now boasts a state-of-the-art Aviation Maintenance Training Centre, qualified lecturers and examiners, training, examination and quality assurance procedures as well as the approval  by the European Aviation Safety Authority for Category A1 training and certification. Resources include two dedicated training workshops, one for Basic Training and one for Sheet Metal Training, three classrooms for theory lessons and two computer-based training rooms.

During the presentation of awards ceremony Education Minister Evarist Bartolo mentioned the Skills Gap Analysis that will be carried out together with CEDEFOP, to identify present and future skills gaps in the economy. Tourism Minister Karmenu Vella mentioned that the aviation maintenance sector is developing and has potential for further growth. He mentioned the foreign companies like Lufthansa Technik and SR Technics  have invested in Malta mainly due to the skilled human resources available.

Silvio DeBono, President of the MCAST Board of Governors, mentioned that MCAST has set up a permanent structure whereby the College and Industry could work together to provide students with the right skills required by industry.  Stephen Cachia, Principal and CEO, stressed on the importance of the work ethic and soft skills at the place of work. He also thanked industry for working closely with MCAST.