Twenty one Form 4 students from Lorenzo Gafá Boys’ Secondary School at Fortini, a school forming part of Cottonera College, have successfully concluded a month-long work experience during their summer holidays, through which they gained experience at three important workplaces – Malta Shipyards, Guttenberg Press and Vista Co-op.
Sixteen students attended the Malta Shipyards Training Centre, where they were taught trades that included bench fitting, lathe work, pipe work and sheet metal work.
Malta Shipyards sponsored the students for the entire month and also provided them with all the necessary safety clothing and equipment. In fact, the contribution of Malta Shipyards to Lorenzo Gafá Boys’ Secondary School has been invaluable over the years, and has been an excellent example of the manner in which an important industry can make a significant contribution to the wider community. The students found this experience very enriching and showed enthusiasm and commitment throughout the experience.
They developed a number of projects during the month-long work experience which were then exhibited for their parents and other guests at a presentation ceremony that was presided over by Education Minister Louis Galea, who also presented the students with a certificate of attendance.
In his address, Dr Galea said that it was very encouraging to see schools working with industry and the private sector to provide students with tangible training opportunities so that they would be able to translate this experience into basic skills for their future in the industry or for further training at higher levels.
Students in secondary schools were being offered technology education as a basis for further studies and skill development in various technologies and skills.
Dr Galea said he had been following the programme that Lorenzo Gafá school had been organising for several years now and has seen the tangible benefits this programme provided students with. He said he was always impressed by the level of enthusiasm of the students, at times in contrast with the interest shown on normal school days.
This year, work experience for Lorenzo Gafá students was not limited to Malta Shipyards. Two other students had work experience at Guttenberg Press, one of the most important printing presses on the island, while three other students are currently working with Vista Co-op, helping in the organisation of the Kidstart Summer School.
This is the third year that students from the school have had work experience with a printing press and a summer school.
Acting Head of School Stephen Cachia thanked all the organisations involved, particularly Malta Shipyards, for once again organising this activity for school students.
He praised the students for the maturity and commitment they had shown and thanked Malta Shipyards Training Centre coordinator Ray Borg and his staff for the exemplary dedication and patience they had shown in working with students over the month.
He also thanked members of the school staff who had given up some days of their summer holidays to accompany the
students on a daily basis during the work experience.