A tracer study is being conducted among former Malta College for Arts, Science and Technology students to analyse their activities after they finished their course.

A questionnaire is being sent out to 2,483 former students who will be asked whether they are employed, self-employed or still seeking a job.

The initiative is a joint exercise between MCAST and the Parliamentary Secretariat for Small Business and the self-employed.

Parliamentary secretary Edwin Vassallo said the information will provide the secretariat and MCAST with a better understanding of the nature of the activities that past MCAST students are involved in after finishing their studies.

Mr Vassallo said the secretariat’s main objective was to foster a sense of entrepreneurship among students attending MCAST and to pass on the message they do not necessarily have to find employment but should also considered setting up their own business.

He said the Secretariat was working closely with MCAST to provide a one-stop shop for students who wanted to become entrepreneurs and to allow former students to meet current students and pass on their experience.

MCAST principal Frank Edwards said the agreement between the college and the Secretariat was working extremely well and several initiatives were helping the college to engage with industry.

The questionnaires are being sent out this week and they have to be returned by the end of April.