'Yard to take on 60 apprentices

The shipyards are to take on 60 apprentices. Twenty-two will be starting their apprenticeship in the coming week, while another 38 prospective apprentices are undergoing a selection process, 'yards human resources executive Anthony Restall said.

The news has been warmly welcomed by the General Workers' Union.

Last year the apprenticeship scheme was called off after the union's metalworkers' section demanded they be given job guarantees, which could not met.

As a result, the Employment and Training Corporation had to find alternative placements for 48 students.

The union yesterday issued a statement to clarify the section's position, saying that over the past seven years it had passed a motion at every general conference so that both 'yards would continue to take on apprentices.

The statement said that the section had long been insisting that the 'yard's management give job guarantees to the chosen apprentices.

"It is a great satisfaction for the section that this request was accepted," the statement said.

Mr Restall said when contacted that once the apprentices completed their four-year course they would have to register with the ETC.

"The 'yards will then ask the ETC for specific tradesmen. I am sure we will be requiring the skills of these 60 apprentices," he said.

Mr Restall announced the re-introduction of this scheme during a press conference on the hands-on training for Lorenzo Gafà Boys' secondary school and the prize-giving ceremony presided by Education Minister Louis Galea.

For the fifth consecutive year, 22 students, fourth formers of the school, have participated in the summer work orientation scheme organised by the Training and Development Unit of the Malta Drydocks.

The course, which forms part of a sponsorship agreement signed in 1997 between the school and the MDD, lasted for five weeks and lessons included ethics, safety, welding and pipe fitting.

The scholarship agreement expires this year. However, the Education Division and the MDD are soon expected to start discussions to extend the agreement for another five years.