The decision by Lufthansa Technik to invest in a new gigantic facility here in Malta is nothing short of a vote of supreme confidence in not only the country’s airport facilities, but also in our workforce and education system.

Lufthansa Technik is set to invest between e50 and e60 million in the construction of a huge aircraft hangar that will be able to accommodate Airbus’ super jumbo A-380 – the largest passenger aircraft in the world.

This investment is set to create some 550 jobs, starting possibly as early as 2008. Lufthansa Technik’s plans, of course, go hand in hand with Malta International Airport’s decision to invest some e40 million over the next 20 years to upgrade the airfield and terminal. Part of the development of the airfield will be to accommodate wide-bodied aircraft, including the A380 and the A340 – both of which are expected to be pencilled in as “clients” for overhauls in Lufthansa Technik's massive project.

Lufthansa Technik came to Malta five years ago and began operating in January 2003 with one line of operations and around 30 employees, but since then, the company has expanded: last October a second line started up, which meant that the company can handle two aircraft at the same time. The company’s workforce has expanded to 150, mostly very keen and willing young men (and also women) technicians.

But the decision to invest further, and in such a massive project, is music to the ears – 550 jobs is no joke – it is a lot. Better still, courses are being offered at the MCAST and this year, some 50 students have enrolled for apprenticeships. Using foresight (something we are finally getting used to in this country) MCAST has already agreed to increase the number of courses in order to turn out more aircraft technicians.

The skills they learn are highly prized, not only in the aircraft overhaul sector, but also in others – which opens up many more opportunities. However, having a steady stream of technicians coming out of MCAST can only be positive, as they will be readily replaced by others.

The vast hangar will be built by Malta Industrial Parks Ltd and rented to Lufthansa Technik for 30 years. This in itself also creates knock on employment and offers a huge contract to a local company.

Industry, Investment and IT Minister Austin Gatt said that this deal was a sign of confidence in Malta and is in line with Malta Enterprise’s efforts to attract high yield investment.

While this all holds true, we must make sure that we have the people to be able to staff such investments. Dr Gatt spoke at the University of Malta and pleaded for more students to take up IT, in view of SmartCity and various other projects. The government has a strategy of attracting investment that will generate high income jobs. It then follows up by offering the relevant training and expertise – for free, to boot!

But without uptake, it will all be in vain. Students of today need to be more aware of what they chose to study. One does not have to look through blinkers and plump for law or medicine. There are very real alternatives out there – real jobs that are going to materialise. Students should be more aware of the country they live in today – a European country in the global rat-race. A bit of thinking outside the box might be in order.