Over €7 million are being invested by the Malta College for Arts, Science and Technology in a bid to improve the employability of vulnerable persons in a project that is partly-financed by the EU.

As a result of the project, MCAST is reviewing the curricula of all programmes falling within levels 1-3 of the Malta National Qualifications Framework. Level 1 is equivalent to a school leaving certificate, level 2 to SEC grades 6-7 and level 3 to SEC grades 1-5.

The aim of this review is to facilitate the progression of students to more advanced level, and thus improve their job prospects.

Parliamentary Secretary Ian Borg explained that the project involved various activities including the auditing of existing courses, the drawing up of new syllabi and the provision of training to 300 lecturers and MCAST staff to coordinate the efforts of vulnerable students following MCAST courses.

The project also involves upgrading the Pathway to Independent Living Programme, which has been designed for students with intellectual disabilities, learning difficulties or mental health issues to help them acquire the skills they require to gain and maintain employment.

A two-year course leading to a certificate in vocational skills which falls outside the national qualifications framework is provided under the programme, through which students learn life skills and key skills in addition to training in three specific sectors which are most likely to provide them with employment: hospitality, office work and production and retail.

Students receive training in all sectors during their first year of studies, before specialising in one of the three sectors in their second year.