Over 2,300 individuals from 450 different enterprises applied for training funds through the Training Aid Framework (TAF2) which was launched by ETC in November 2014. This was revealed today by Parliamentary Secretary for EU Funds Ian Borg, at the Yacht Marina in Msida.
The programme, co-financed by the European Social Fund, had the aim of promoting training and development. The end result would be an improved and more productive workforce which is able to rise to the challenges and adapt as new technologies are introduced.
Dr Borg claimed that a budget of €2.5 million had been allocated to the TAF in order to promote training activities which need to be implemented by the end of June 2015. Dr Borg said that the industry’s need for such initiatives is evidenced by the record number of applications received within an 8-week timeframe, till mid-January 2015, whereby ETC received over 2,389 applications, resulting in 1,800 grants towards 450 different enterprises.
Parliamentary Secretary Borg also highlighted ETC’s efficient work in managing to complete the evaluation process within a 10-week timeframe, and is committed to disburse funds within four months after receipt of complete reimbursement documentation. Dr Borg said, this greatly contrasted with past practices whereby there were cases that took up to 3 years to be sanctioned.
Finally, Dr Borg also pointed out that now that Malta’s Operational Programmes have been officially launched, the Managing Authority will be preparing fresh calls in the coming weeks amounting to around €20M that will cover similar interventions.