The MCAST Institute of Community Services

The Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology Institute of Community Services is one of the three new institutes, being introduced as from this year.

Speaking to The Sunday Times, institute director Dorothy Meli said the courses on offer in this institute are mainly replacing those previously offered at other schools and institutes.

A hairdressing course, as well as a beauty therapy course replace those formerly taught at the School of Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy, Sliema, where Ms Meli was head until last year.

A Care course shall replace what was known as pre-voc, while Early Years will be instead of pre-school. A new course on offer is Sports and Leisure. However there have been changes within the structure of the courses and the syllabus.

The hairdressing courses

The Foundation Course in Hairdressing is a one-year full-time course leading to an MCAST certificate. The only entry requirement is a school-leaving certificate, while students are subject to an interview and aptitude test.

This course leads to the First Certificate in Hairdressing (City & Guilds), a one year full-time course. Alternatively, students can enter this course if they are in possession of two O-level passes, with a preference for English, Arts, Home Economics or a science subject.

Finally the Diploma in Hairdressing is offered as a one-year full-time course, or as a two-year part-time course as part of the ESTS Scheme (Extended Skills Training Scheme).

Beauty therapy courses

The Diploma for Beauty Specialists is a one-year full-time course for which students must be in possession of two O-level passes, with a preference for English, Arts, Home Economics or a science subject. This leads to ITEC certification.

Students can then proceed to the Diploma in Facial Electrical Treatments, a one-year full-time or two-year part-time course or the Diploma in Anatomy, Physiology and Massage, likewise a one-year full-time or a two-year part-time course.

The 'care' courses

This course provides students with the necessary skills to work with elderly people and persons with special needs. The foundation course is a one-year full-time course for which students need only a school-leaving certificate. Students are subject to an interview or an aptitude test.

Following this, students can study the MCAST/BTEC First Diploma, a one-year full-time course. Students can start their MCAST education at this level if they if they are in possession of two O-level passes which must be English Language and a science subject.

Then there is the BTEC National Diploma in Health Studies a two-year full-time course. This enables succesful students to work professionally in health-related careers.

Students with O-level passes in English Language, Maltese, Mathematics and Biology, Chemistry or Physics can start at this level.

The 'early years' courses

The MCAST/BTEC National Diploma in Early Years is a two-year full-time course for students to become kindergarten assistants or to work in child care centres.

Applicant students must be in possession of O-level passes in Maltese, Mathematics, English Language and a science subject.

Sports and leisure courses

The BTEC First Diploma in Sports and Exercise Sciences is a one-year full-time course for which students must have O-level passes in a language and a science.

The purpose of this course is to "equip students with the knowledge, understanding and practical skills in the sports and related industry. Ms Meli stated: "We aim to give community services to people of all ages, from pre-school to the elderly."

For further information attend the information talks at the MCAST Main Campus, Corradino Hill, Paola on July 21 at 6.30 p.m.