MCAST celebrated the success of another 71 students who completed the aircraft maintenance course during a presentation ceremony at SR Technics’ Hangar, at the Safi Aviation Park.
The presentation included the awarding of certificates to the first 37 students who completed MCAST courses leading to the EASA Part-66 Category B Licences. Another 28 students completed courses leading to the EASA Part-66 Category A licence, while six students received certificates for the Aircraft Maintenance Mechanics programme.
Over 450 students have completed courses offered by MCAST’s Aircraft Maintenance Training Centre since it was established in 2007. The Centre, a joint collaboration between MCAST’s Institute of Mechanical Engineering and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, was set up to meet the demands of the growing aviation maintenance sector, where the potential for increased investment was being curbed by the lack of specially-trained workers.
Within a few years, as it invested in advanced training facilities and the recruitment and training of experienced lecturers, the Training Centre was officially recognised as a European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Part-147 Approved Centre to provide Part 66 Category A training and certification.
The centre’s courses include those leading to the attainment of the EASA Part-66 Category A Licence as well as other programmes that constitute a part-requirement for the attainment of the EASA Part-66 Category B Licences. These are two of the three different levels of licences, known as the EASA Part-66, required by EASA from technicians or engineers in the aviation maintenance sector.
The growth of the aviation maintenance sector is a very important development in the Maltese islands, explained Joseph Farrugia, MCAST president. “It is a shining example of our economy’s transformation, of how it is managing to generate new investment with new job opportunities in a forward-looking sector with a high value-added potential. MCAST’s training opportunities in different art, science and technology fields are crucial to the development of a flexible and skilled workforce required for continued economic development.”
Jutta Trimmiel, SR Technics’ general manager, explained that within a few years, the company established itself as one of the major players in this sector, employing 150 workers and sponsoring several MCAST apprentices. SR Technics offers continued support to the College, especially by providing students with different on-the-job training opportunities. Ms Trimmiel encouraged the students to continue studying throughout their lives. “This is a very competitive market and you need to constantly further your skills to advance. Embrace learning – it is a lifelong skill.”
By hosting this presentation ceremony in the hangar of one of the companies operating in this sector, MCAST is emphasising its strong links with industry, explained Stephen Cachia, MCAST principal and CEO. “This relationship helps MCAST ensure that it continues to offer young and adult students with up-to-date training opportunities, reflective of the latest developments in the industry. As a result, our graduates find it easier to secure employment as soon as they end their studies.” He thanked the MCAST staff involved in the development and delivery of the aviation courses and congratulated the students on the successful completion of their studies.
Some of the Training Centre’s courses are co-financed by the EU through a European Social Fund project entitled ESF1.34 - Addressing Skills Mismatches in the Aviation Maintenance Industry. Through this project MCAST obtained over €2m to acquire new tools and equipment for its aircraft maintenance workshops, to develop new teaching materials and to finance additional lecturing hours to provide training to more students.
The Training Centre is also supported by other Approved Aircraft Maintenance Organisations operating in Malta as well as companies and government entities related to this sector.