The government is investing a further Lm1 million at the Malta College for Arts, Science and Technology for two new blocks.

These will house the Institute for Community Services, Students’ House, a canteen and other facilities.

On a visit to the college yesterday, Education, Youth and Employment minister Louis Galea said the government had invested Lm6. 6 million since the college opened and this investment would increase in the coming years.

He said the Lm700,000 Institute for Community Services building will cater for the needs of the ever-growing number of students of this popular institute. He said the new canteen will be able to house 300 students inside and 100 students outdoors.

Minister Galea said the government is a pioneer in vocational training for youths and adults. He said the hefty investment was bearing fruit and “the number of students aged 20-24 that are continuing higher secondary education has increased from 45 per cent in 2002 to 56 per cent in 2005. Moreover, 70 per cent of 17-year-olds are still within the educational system, meaning that a big part of them will continue their post secondary education. Early school leavers have gone down from 52 per cent in 2002 to 38 per cent in 2005. ”

He added that “MCAST caters for 4,000 full-time and 4,000 part-time students. The college and other post secondary and tertiary institutions will continue to grow in order to fulfil the government’s aims of providing youths with the qualifications they need when seeking work. MCAST is formulating a 10-year master plan and its implementation will be partly funded by the European Regional Development Fund. ”

The college enjoys a very good relationship with local industry because of the various courses that it offers in order to improve and develop certain sectors of the economy, Dr Galea said.