A joint investment by HP and Microsoft together with the Investment, Industry and Information Technology Ministry, which started in 2004 to bridge the digital divide, is continuing to bear fruit with the opening of the eighth Community Technology Learning Centre (CTLC). The new centre is set up at the Employment Training Centre in Old Theatre Street, Valletta and will provide free training courses in Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
This was announced in conjunction with new ICT initiatives for the elderly by Dr Austin Gatt, Minister for Investment, Industry and IT. During his speech, Dr Austin Gatt thanked both Microsoft and HP for sponsoring the eighth CTLC.
Present for the occasion were Joe Cutajar – ETC Senior Manager, Training Services, Joe Bezzina – ETC Senior Executive Training Services, Josephine Attard Biancardi executive, ETC skills, Pierre Mallia, Country Manager for Microsoft Malta Ltd, and Wayne Hewitt, Channel Sales Manager at Systec Limited, authorised distribution and service delivery partner of HP in Malta.
Malta is striving to become a global ICT hub and will be attracting more ICT companies in addition to those already established on the islands. The CTLC at ETC will serve job seekers to improve their ICT knowledge with specialised courses and find new opportunities in the work force.
In line with worldwide commitment of HP and Microsoft to bridge the digital divide, two of the world’s largest IT companies, entered into a Vertical Strategic Alliance with the Government of Malta under the Hello IT initiative in 2004.
HP, through two of their Authorised Partners in Malta, namely Systec Limited and Fortune Technologies Limited, has contributed towards the provision of HP computers and printers. HP has also introduced its MAP (Micro-enterprise Acceleration Prog-
ramme), a special training course for entrepreneurs of small businesses and it is being executed in collaboration with the Ministry for Investment, Industry and IT at selected CTLCs.
Microsoft is committed at assisting the Government of Malta in its ongoing mission of creating a widespread information society in Malta. This is being achieved through Microsoft’s Unlimited Potential programme.
Microsoft Malta Ltd is assisting in the IT literacy programme and the development of IT skills within the communities, development of the CTLCs as potential hubs for e-Government and preparation of these centres to help in the delivery of specialised courses for employment opportunities. This initiative is also being made possible through NGOs as execution partners.
Apart from the new CTLC at ETC branch in Valletta, the other centres which are run by NGOs are located at ACCESS Centre in Vittoriosa, the National Council of Women’s offices in Blata l-Bajda, the Eden Foundation Complex at Bulebel, Union Haddiema Maghqudin in Floriana, The Richmond Foundation, The Physically Handicapped Rehabilitation Fund (PHRF) in Kordin and Birkirkara Local Council.
Two more centres are expected to open in the coming months.