Information Technology Minister Austin Gatt on Wednesday inaugurated a free training programme for persons undergoing rehabilitation from drug use at Caritas’ San Blas facility. The programme is followed by employment in a technology industry under a scheme in which the government pays half the employee’s wages for the first year.

The first companies participating in the scheme are 6PM, MITTS, Melita and Demajo Group. Twenty persons are taking part.

Dr Gatt announced the scheme during a visit to those taking part in the rehabilitation programme at San Blas. The 50-hour courses are followed by training assistance from the ministry for the Cisco Certified Network Administrator qualification, after the Caritas programme is completed.