The Malta College of Arts, Science & Technology (MCAST) has just launched its new list of part-time courses due to open in spring 2015, with 270 training options to choose from.  As the colourful part-time courses prospectus booklet landed in each household's letter box over recent days, its newly designed and clearly defined format allows one to estimate that once again, each and every course will titillate somebody's fancy.

All 10 of MCAST's Institutes come into play each season, offering courses within their remit and this year, in totality including 21 brand new courses. Training courses are created on the basis of feedback received by MCAST from students, academics and members of the industry. This feedback allows course organisers to gauge what  employers require most of their employees within very specific categories and what individual self-employed feel they need in order to reach quality within the local and global market.

This time round new courses are clearly defined as such on the booklet and the titles of these are particularly unique. Consider 'Basic Water Science' for instance, or a 'Diploma in Personal Training'. Alternatively you might decide to take up one of the very new general familiarisation courses aimed at aviation employees or just keep your feet firmly on the ground with a 'Food - From Farm to Fork' course. Whether your choice is a first step in the rung of a new professional ladder or whether you want to polish and hone skills already within your repertoire, these courses are all for the taking.

Ing. Louis Aquilina, who directs the Partnership Office at MCAST, explains further, "The MG2I courses are aimed for industry personnel and we are especially proud of their creation since they directly address needs of the market. 'Managing Your Own Business', learning about procurement and supply or quality management all provide necessary tools for budding entrepreneurs. We have incorporated 'Chinese Language and Culture' as well, and although only at introductory level, this should be extremely valuable for attendees. It is just another way of handling the reality of a truly global market."

One of the most popular courses is Interior Design which attracts hundreds of student every season it is made available. But other courses which promise success come in the shape of 'Bee Keeping', 'Dog Training', hairdressing 'Braiding Updos', 'Scaffolding and Access', 'DIY Home Maintenance'...... the list is in fact 270 titles long.   "Our courses are generally delivered in Maltese, except where the course material necessitates English jargon, or where we have a majority of foreign students attending. We do cater for a healthy number of foreign students and our latest achievement is having become an authorised training centre of the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS)."

MCAST offers training at Levels 1 - 6  with most of the part-time courses ranging between  Levels 1 -  4. Some of the courses receive a certificate of attendance, mostly those considered as 'hobby courses'. The rest achieve an MQC level  or an ECVET qualification. Exams, assignments or projects validate such a qualification depending on the awarding body's criteria. All tutors are fully trained and MCAST utilises the services of vetted experts in specific fields. With 400+ qualified lecturers delivering on a part-time or full-time basis, MCAST is very proud of its personnel.

The variety of courses is also backed up by a variety of course prices which range  from as little as Euro 15 to Euro 2000+ . Another novelty this year is that MCAST is extending a 5% loyalty discount offer on future courses booked after a first one is booked this time round. Grab yourself some training with MCAST.

Applications are open between Monday 23 February through to Friday 13 March online via www.mcast.edu.mt/shortcourses ; by posting their application form retrieved from the free prospectus booklet distributed to all homes; or by going directly to apply at MCAST Main Campus, Paola during the same period. For more updates visit the MCAST  facebook page Facebook.com/mcastparttimecourses