An extension to the Employment and Training Corporation training complex in Hal Far was inaugurated yesterday by Education Minister Louis Galea who said the work was funded by the government and the European Regional Development Fund.

Over 70,000 persons have received training at the ETC complex since it was set up. In the ETC’s last financial year over 8,200 persons received training in subjects such as basic skills, IT, literacy, managerial, and commerce – some 130 different courses are offered.

More people can now be accepted in training schemes and the range of courses will be widened.

The ETC has also applied to build a new training block which would enhance its training capacity. It will be part-financed by the EU and will be completed by 2009, at a cost of Lm269,170 (EUR627,000).

The government's aim, Dr Galea said, was to have full employment and provide more job opportunities. The budget vote for the ETC this year amounted to Lm5 million and the government will be paying 60 per cent of the minimum wage to help the disadvantaged integrate in the world of work.

The ETC, the minister said, was already preparing to start using funds from the financial package for 2007-2013 and has applied for various programmes which will involve an investment of EUR10 million (Lm4.29 million) in the country’s human resources.