Students invited to take tourism courses

The prospectus for full time courses starting in October at the Institute for Tourism Studies was launched yesterday by Education Minister Louis Galea.

Programmes of studies are being offered at foundation, certificate, diploma and higher diploma levels. On obtaining a higher diploma, students can continue reading tourism studies at the University of Malta to obtain a degree.

Foundation level is being offered in food preparation and service and in restaurant operations.

Hotel operations, accommodation operations and food and beverage are being offered at certificate and higher diploma levels.

Supervisory studies are offered at certificate level and culinary arts at diploma level. Tourism Management is offered at higher diploma level.

Dr Galea described the ITS as a vocational institution of education and training of utmost importance to Malta since tourism and catering had a substantial economic impact.

The prospectus, he said, was being given publicity because in spite of the career guidance students received, there would still be those who would not have received enough information.

The minister said that ITS courses included theoretical and practical training in hotels and catering establishments in Malta and abroad.

The institute was also intensifying its experience in EU exchange programmes.

ITS chairman Reggie Abela said that while "A" levels were required for certain courses, "O" levels were adequate for others and a school-leaving certificate was enough for others. A total of 17 courses were offered in all.

All courses included a good practical content. In areas where the school lacked facilities, hotels in the vicinity were utilised. For a student to obtain a diploma, he had to spend 12 months working abroad in upper class hotels or restaurants, during which period the students would be monitored.

Mr Abela said that an intake of 250 students was expected this year. There are currently more than 700 full time students including 50 from a number of countries including China, Korea, Tunisia, Albania, Moldova and EU countries.

Demand from foreign students was on the rise but preference was always given to Maltese students.

Dr Galea said that the government was trying to find ways to be able to meet the increasing demand from foreigners. Mr Abela said that the ITS also worked closely with the Employment and Training Corporation on an apprenticeship programme organising courses for the unemployed, children with learning difficulties and children with special needs.

Moreover, fifth formers were invited throughout the year with four to five visits taking place each week so that all state and private schools would be covered in a year.

Maria Bartolo Galea, from the ETC, said that in collaboration with the ETC, the ITS offered courses under the Extended Skills Training Scheme in food preparation and service, restaurant/bar operations and general assistance. These were taken by more than 100 participants.

Application forms for courses may be obtained from the ITS Registrar in St George's Bay, St Julians, the ITS in Gozo, all ETC Job Centres or from the ITS website.

Applications for certificate, diploma and higher diploma programmes, accompanied by the relevant documentation, will be received by the Office of the Registrar ITS up to August 17 while the closing date for the receipt of applications for the foundation and ESTS programmes is June 28.

www.its.edu.mt