ICT students' placement programme launched

The Ministry for Infrastructure, Transport and Communications today formally launched the Student Job Placement Programme for summer 2008, shortly before awarding 130 ICT students who participated in last summer's scheme with a certificate.

Minister Austin Gatt said that this programme encouraged the private sector to offer placements for students during summer. Apart from serving as experience for the ICT students, this also helped employers get an idea of what Malta's schools were offering in terms of ICT. The employers could then give their feedback for changes in the curriculum, if necessary.

Such programmes, he said, ensured that ICT schools including the University of Malta and the Malta College of Arts Science and Technology, bred student who were competent within the field.

All students attending a full time ICT course at MCAST, the University of Malta and private ICT Training centres are eligible. The work phase period will span between July and September over a minimum of eight weeks on the basis of a 40-hour week.

The companies involved will pay students €4.81 (Lm2.06) an hour and may agree with the students to work for more weeks.

Employers interested to offer temporary ICT-related job placements for ICT students during July-September 2008 may call on 2125 5495 or email fiona.pace@gov.mt. thesmartisland.gov.mt