ESF project enhances Mcast's aviation maintenance training

The Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (Mcast) has launched a European Social Fund (ESF) project entitled 'Addressing skills mismatches in the aviation maintenance industry' through the college's recently inaugurated Aviation Maintenance Training Centre.

The ESF project will lay the foundations for students to acquire expertise, competences and licensing in the aviation maintenance sector, thus opening up opportunities for potential employment in the area, and attract further capital investment to Malta that will generate wealth.

It also aims to build Mcast's capacity to provide better quality vocational education and training by acquiring training support material and resources to address skill mismatches and the need for upskilling in this sector.

This ESF project seeks to offer basic training through the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) PART-66 Category A Aircraft Maintenance, EASA PART-66 Category B1 Aircraft Maintenance Advanced and EASA PART-66 Category B2 Avionic Systems and Aircraft Structures and Composites.

Two full-time Category A courses have already started under the project and it is envisaged that in the next academic year additional courses in Category A, Category B and in Aircraft Structures and Composites will be available for both full-time and part-time students.

The project seeks to provide participants with teaching of the highest level. Internal and external audits will be carried out by the quality team at Mcast's aviation maintenance training centre and the Department of Civil Aviation respectively in accordance with the requirements of European Commission Regulation (EC) 2042/2003 - PART 147 that monitors education institutions operating in this area.

Malta's ability to compete in the high value-added, knowledge-intensive aviation maintenance market requires a highly skilled and adaptable workforce. Through this project Mcast is offering its students, academic staff, and people outside the formal education system with opportunities to improve competences and academic qualifications needed to promote quality and encourage shifting from traditional manufacturing sectors to the higher added-value aircraft maintenance sector.

Mcast's constant contact with industry places the college in a position to identify labour market skills needs and provide a competent workforce in time to cater for the demand for human resources in sectors that are being driven by drastic changes in our economy and new investment.

Mr Cassar is deputy director of the Mcast Institute of Mechanical Engineering and project leader of 'Addressing Skills Mismatches in the Aviation Maintenance Industry'