Safeguarding heritage sites is also about safeguarding trades said Education Minister Owen Bonnici during his visit to St Catherine's Chapel in Gudja, which is currently being tended to by Malta College for Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) students enrolled in courses related to masonry heritage skills.
This chapel is one of the many sites that is currently being restored with the help of MCAST students undergoing this course.
"If we want to keep preserving our rich cultural heritage through careful restoration of historical sites, we also need to make sure that we have skilled persons to do this important work," Bonnici explained. "Safeguarding heritage sites is also about safeguarding trades and ensuring that skills and techniques are learned by young people through hands-on learning."
Bonnici continued by saying: "This is why we will keep investing in quality vocational education and training. Education plays an important role in raising awareness on the importance of the preservation of cultural sites so that they can be enjoyed by generations to come. I encourage all those who are interested in commencing with such studies as it is a very fulfilling and satisfying career."
MCAST Principal and CEO Joachim James Calleja said: "All our vocational courses offer students the opportunity to gain both practical and theoretical skills. The Construction Department within the Institute for Engineering and Transport offers courses that enable learners to take up a career in stone restoration. Lecturers guide our learners to participate in stone restoration interventions. Past projects include restoration work at St Philip's Chapel in Senglea, St Augustine Convent in Rabat and the station in Birkirkara. This year's projects include the stone restoration of iconic niches in several villages and collaboration with parishes and local councils. Students following these heritage skills courses can progress to the next level while learning recording techniques as well as cleaning and testing procedures."
Minister Bonnici explained that MCAST offers courses in construction and heritage skills at various levels ensuring that young people are trained in the maintenance, protection and preservation of heritage sites. One of the ongoing projects is the restoration of the Chapel of St Catherine's in Gudja, which was built in 1631. The present chapel replaced an older one which was built in 1562.
Gudja Mayor Marija Sara Vella said Gudja is rich in other chapels that require some help in this regard and she looks forward to working further with MCAST as she encouraged more students to apply for this work.