Successful project for MCAST students

Ten MCAST students recently left Malta for a three-week work placement in Austria. The students, currently undergoing a course at the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, were selected among 44 interested students and represented four streams of vocational training - Mechantronics, Manufacture Engineering, Plant Engineering and Motor Vehicle Engineering. The students were hosted by Landesberufsschule Pinkafeld, which co-ordinated the project.

Mr Ernst Kirnbauer, regional international co-ordinator, ensured that all work placements were directly relevant to the students' capacities and vocational area. On arriving in Pinkafeld, the students were introduced to the mayor of Pinkafeld, Mr Kurt Matschek. Mr Kirnbauer was also responsible for the pedagogic visits that the groups carried out to OPEL car-making plant and an alternative energy plant in Hungary.

In their free time, students were able to have a good taste of the Austrian culture and lifestyle. They visited various Austrian cities, including Vienna, where they visited the Technical Museum and the Schonbrunn Palace. One day was spent in Fladnitz/Teichalm where they snowboarded. A visit to the Christmas market and a glass of warm mulled wine were also musts.

In the final report, Mr Kirn-bauer emphasised the impeccable motivation, independence and determination of the students. Reports received from the work placements all commended the mature attitude that the students have towards their work.

MCAST is grateful to Maria Bartolo Galea, ETC representative, and the various sponsors who hosted the students on apprentice schemes and for allowing the students to participate in the project - Government Garage, Sway, Continental Cars, UCIM-Fiat and Swansea Car Hire.

Appreciation also goes to the Austrian companies who hosted the students for the duration of the project, namely Unger, Jugend am Werk Grosspetersdorf, Nikitscher Metallwaren, KFZ Haas, KFZ Simon, Renault VOGL & Co and Ford Schwartz.

This placement is part of a Leonardo da Vinci project awarded to MCAST titled "Mobility Opportunities in Vocational Education", co-ordinated by Edel Cassar.