MCAST, in collaboration with the Education and Employment Ministry, held its annual conference - which focused on the wider remit of vocational education and training - VET - particularly its development in the area of higher education. The conference was held in the Administration Hall, MCAST Main Campus, Corradino, on 27 January.

The conference emphasised the local experience, with a particular focus on the development of VET degrees in Malta, while also exploring developments in other countries, particularly the Swiss system. 

The conference was opened by MCAST Principal and CEO Stephen Cachia. Dr Silvio De Bono, President of the Board of Governors, addressed the audience and mentioned the importance of the conference and its focus on the wider remit of VET. Ing Vincent Maione, MCAST Vice- Principal delivered a presentation on VPET in Malta - the Development of Vocational Education in Malta. The presentation of Dr Alex Rizzo, Head of Technical College, was entitled Sharing good practise: case studies of Vocational Degrees offered by MCAST. In the second half of the conference, Mr Mergim Jahiu, International Project Manager at the Swiss Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (SFIVET), delivered a presentation on the best practises of VET in Switzerland. The SFIVET is the Swiss expert organisation for vocational education and training. It trains VET practitioners, provides VET research, develops careers and further assists international education and training cooperation.

Towards the end of the conference, MCAST celebrated its strong and close links to industry by presenting a token of appreciation to those industry partners who have supported MCAST degree students through their participation in internship programmes.