The number of courses on offer through myPotential – a scheme aimed at increasing the affordability of certifications in information and communication technology (ICT) – has been doubled and another four private service providers have also joined the scheme, first introduced less than a year ago.
The Investment, Industry and Information Technology Ministry launched the second phase of myPotential yesterday.
About 600 students followed ICT courses on offer through the first phase of the scheme, which meant that the government invested about Lm1.5 million.
myPotential is a public-private partnership that is aimed at creating an environment of learning opportunities in the ICT field for students and both unemployed people and those in employment. The cost of the courses offered through this scheme are repaid by means of tax credits.
The scheme was also introduced as a way of ensuring a constant supply of ICT graduates to match the needs of the industry in a timely manner.
Furthermore, the government’s aim was also to promote life-long learning and encourage people to advance their careers in ICT and entrench skills flexibility.
When myPotential was first introduced last year, five private service providers were participating. This number has now risen to nine, one of which is the University of Malta.
Speaking at a media conference at which the second phase of the scheme was launched, Investment, Industry and Information Technology Minister Austin Gatt said that some service providers had been rather sceptical about myPotential when it was introduced, but they have now recognised the benefits of the scheme, following its success over this past year.
The new phase of myPotential incorporates 15 additional low-end and 20 additional high-end courses, bringing to 60 the number of courses on offer, which cover almost the whole IT spectrum.
Dr Gatt said the government’s aim was to invest further in professional courses offered by way of the scheme, which are intended to complement courses in ICT and related areas offered by the University of Malta and the Malta College for Arts, Science and Technology.
He added that the government also wanted to ensure that high standards were achieved by the service providers accredited to offer courses through the scheme.
The number of people who would benefit from myPotential was expected to increase this year, thanks to the increasing interest in careers in the IT sector, he said. Dr Gatt added that, following the launch of a scheme for those who were at risk of losing their jobs, about 700 people had applied to follow basic ICT training.