ETC to fill apprenticeship vacancies

Following an intensive marketing campaign with employers, the Employment and Training Corporation (ETC) has around 450 apprenticeship vacancies it is seeking to fill. Meetings have already been held with 900 MCAST students, and this resulted in 300 applications. The corporation aims to fill the rest of the vacancies through an external call for applications, to be held in conjunction with the MCAST call for applications for external students.

The need for more apprentices mainly lies in trades like stone masonry, plastering, tile-laying, painting and decorating, woodwork, and mechanical engineering.

Application forms may be collected from the reception at the Administration Building, MCAST Main Campus, Paola between 8.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. They will then be received at the respective institutes: July 21 - applicants with surnames A to B; July 22 - (C-F); July 23 - (G-P); and July 24 - (Q-Z).

ETC is responsible for the administration of the apprenticeship framework. This involves the acquisition of training placements, recruitment and placement of apprentices, the monitoring to ascertain that the structured delivery of training is taking place and final trade testing.

The corporation also consults employers to ensure that the training delivered reflects the needs of the labour market. Apprenticeship schemes are run on the dual system where apprentices spend time at a vocational education institution for off-the-job training, and at the workplace for practical experience.

The corporation presently has over 800 apprentices (up from 300 in 1995) placed with over 400 employers. Its data shows that 85 per cent of apprentices who successfully conclude their apprenticeship are retained in employment by their employer and receive further training.

The rest continue with their learning on a full-time basis locally or abroad, or open up their own business.