Parliamentary Secretary Helen D’Amato announced that upon completion, the course will be evaluated by international experts and submitted to the EU Leonardo programme in a bid to have it used as a model for an EU-wide basic training programme, warranting a licence for work with the elderly.

Mrs D’Amato explained that the course will be delivered by qualified lecturers who have had many years of experience in the field. Research has been carried out before drafting the curriculum in order to address the sector’s needs.

The programme will consist of 150 hours of theory and 40 hours of practice. The practical sessions are an essential element of this course, as experienced workers always point out that students are often very strong on theory but deliver poorly in practice.

Some 50 students attended the launch, which served as an introductory session. Most of the students are women. However, Mrs D'Amato emphasised, it is not a gender-exclusive profession although women in general are normally encouraged to join this particular sector.

She said that the programme is the result of cooperation between two ministries, the Health, Elderly and Community Care Ministry and the Education, Youth and Employment Ministry, and the departments that fall under their responsibility. The programme is funded by the ETC, but the lectures will take place at St Vincent De Paule home for the elderly and will be conducted by Health Ministry employees.

Unfortunately, said Mrs D’Amato, investment in training has been generally neglected over the years. However, the government is committed to improving the sector in accordance with its policy of providing quality service within the community.