MCAST collective agreement signed

The Malta College for Arts, Science and Technology yesterday signed a new three-year collective agreement with the Malta Union of Teachers, which represents the college's lecturing staff.

The agreement was signed after over 12 months of negotiations.

Although MCAST is now in its third year of operation, this is the first collective agreement with the union.

When MCAST was set up in 2001, it was planned that it would operate more flexibly than the institutes it replaced, to be more responsive to employers' and students' needs.

Among the novel features of the agreement are annualised lecturing hours, extended opening times for the college and greater staff mobility. Another aim for the college was to create an environment that would enable it to recruit and retain a highly motivated and professional lecturing force. This aim is reflected in the reduction in the number of lecturing grades, better staff progression and opportunities for staff to take on administrative responsibilities. However, progression above a certain level is dependent upon staff achieving appropriate vocational teacher training qualifications and demonstrating effectiveness as a lecturer.

The agreement recognises the changes in the lecturer's responsibilities and workload with appropriate salary levels which the college believes will prove attractive.

"MCAST believes that the agreement goes a long way to having a well-paid, well-trained and professional workforce who will provide the community with education and training opportunities of the highest quality," the education ministry said.