Teaching post at MCAST

I write in response to an article (November 26) regarding the partnership between the Malta College of Art, Science and Technology (MCAST) and the Freeport for the running of national vocational qualifications (NVQs).

As the article states, with the "right management and the right teaching staff, it (MCAST) should provide the country with a wide range of skills needed by industry, commerce and other sections of the country's economy".

I have been teaching in England for nine years and have always had some involvement with vocational education, most recently as a vocational course coordinator and as an external moderator (they check that educational institutions are assessing vocational coursework to national standards).

I applied for a full-time position teaching at MCAST and was one of the many applicants who had an interview. At the interview I was informed that if a Maltese candidate had the same skills/qualifications/experience as myself they would have to be selected (I am English). I understood this situation and fully support the Maltese attitude to protecting their jobs but was (and remain) confident that no Maltese candidate, unless they had been working in England, would be as qualified in terms of vocational education experience, as this is a comparatively new concept to Malta.

I was later told that my application had been successful. I moved to Malta and reported to work on the agreed day. I was then informed that my work permit had been refused and that they had to give the position to a Maltese candidate.

My point is that if the Maltese government wants MCAST to be successful with foreign examining bodies, collaborate with foreign institutions and be accepted as contemporary, versatile educationalists/trainers in May next year it must surely be a little more flexible in its attitude to the employment of non-Maltese. Without this, how can the students of MCAST, as the Minister of Education himself said "get the highest level of training possible"?