A complex of workshops was inaugurated yesterday at the MCAST centre in Xewkija, Gozo, by Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono, including a complex incorporating two new workshops which were also furnished with modern equipment relating to the teaching and appropriate training in electrical installation as well as welding and fabrication. Another workshop was refurbished in order that it may be used during mechanical engineering training. This will allow for Gozitan students to be adequately trained in accordance with present labour market demands in these areas, in order to improve their employability prospects on completion of courses held at this centre.
This project required an investment of e396,000 through the Structural Fund Programme for Malta 2004-2006, specifically through the European Regional Development Fund. The government financed 25 per cent of the total cost of this project.
Mrs Debono described this project as another development of the services offered by MCAST in Gozo. She explained how, since 2002, the number of courses offered almost doubled while from 65 students at that time 230 students attend for 12 courses being currently held at the two centres. This clearly demonstrates the success of the initiative taken for MCAST to start operating also in Gozo, which was surely instrumental in more Gozitan students continuing with their education and training after completing secondary education.
The director of MCAST centre in Gozo, Godwin Grech, explained how these new facilities represent better quality with regards to educational infrastructure and equipment used by MCAST in Gozo. He also mentioned how other projects that were submitted for financing through the second programming period 2007-2013, have been approved. Around e133,000 will be used for the procurement of new equipment for the mechanical engineering machine shop as well as the wood-working workshop. The acquisition of new computers and other ancillary equipment to be mainly used during information technology lessons as well as new courses relating to Call Centre Training and a General Science laboratory are also being projected.