Education Minister Louis Galea yesterday inaugurated the new premises of the Institute for Community Services, located at MCAST in Kordin where over 600 students attend courses. The new facility cost Lm858,600 (EUR2 million) to build, funded by the government and the Regional Fund for European Development for 2004-6.

The ICS was previously operating out of two buildings, in Sliema and Msida. It now occupies 3,290 square metres, has 14 classrooms, four hairdressing salons, two beauty salons, a health care lab, a crafts workshop, computer and science laboratories, a music and drama room, two stores, a multipurpose room and a staff room, among other facilities.

Dr Galea said MCAST was a clear example of the importance the government was giving to education, and professional and vocational training for young people. Before MCAST was created there were only about 1,500 students following crafts, technical or vocational courses. Today there were 4,700 full time students, and about another 5,000 part time students attending evening courses.

The minister pointed out that this year the government had approved an investment plan which would cost Lm50 million for MCAST to have a new and modern campus, to help it develop into a high quality centre in vocational and professional teaching and training.