Education Minister Louis Galea awarded certificates to 200 apprentices, who are placed with 138 different companies, after they completed an intensive apprenticeship programme. Apprenticeship schemes are run on the dual system whereby apprentices spend time at a vocational education institution for off-the-job training and at the workplace for on-the-job training.
The Employment and Training Corporation is responsible for the administration of the apprenticeship system. This involves the recruitment and placement of apprentices, the monitoring to ascertain that training is being given as planned and the final trade testing.
Apprenticeships are good opportunities for young people to get practical work experience while still studying at an educational institution like MCAST and ITS. This form of training facilitates the transition of students from school to work. An apprenticeship is also an opportunity for employers to train prospective candidates as future employees whom the company itself would have trained for its particular needs. At present, there are 790 apprentices (up from 300 in 1995) placed with over 400 companies in Malta and Gozo. The corporation’s data shows that over 95 per cent of apprentices who successfully conclude their training are in full-time employment.
The successful apprentices who received their Journeyman Certificate from the ETC have specialised in different areas. These include electronics, telecommunications, computer technology, mechanical and electrical engineering, agribusiness, air-conditioning technology, woodwork, welding, printing, hairdressing, motor vehicle maintenance and repair, panel beating, food and beverage preparation and stone heritage restoration craftsmanship.
While addressing the youths, Minister Galea said that the apprenticeship schemes they had just completed should not be seen as merely a chance to find a job, but should be considered as another step in their life-long journey of education and training.
Dr Galea said that nobody should rest on his or her laurels and expect that he or she will have a job for life. Today’s economy and more so, the economy of the future will present all workers with a myriad of opportunities which they need to be ready to take up in order to continue to improve themselves and get better jobs and career opportunities.
Dr Galea said that the government had invested heavily in MCAST and other educational institutions precisely to provide training and educational opportunities for all. He said that these institutions provide opportunities for youth and adults, particularly for those who want to improve their skills and knowledge for better career prospects.
For more information on apprenticeships, the public is invited to contact the Apprenticeship Section of the corporation on tel.: 2220-1303/11 or via email to: [email protected].