Applications week at MCAST

The recently published Mcast prospectus for 2010/2011 is now available from local councils and any of the nine Mcast institutes.

Applications to join an Mcast course will be received from tomorrow till Thursday between 8.30 a.m. and 12.30 p.m.

The 260-page prospectus reflects Mcast's expansion as a result of new full-time courses at various levels of vocational study. More than 140 full-time courses are listed, each of which is pegged to the Malta Qualifications Framework for lifelong learning.

Course descriptions are complemented with photographs of students at work in the institute laboratories.

Last year, Mcast introduced its vocational degree courses, partly funded by the European Social Fund. The college will be introducing a degree programme in Fine Art in September.

Mcast will also be focusing on the lower end courses, with the introduction of new level-I programmes; the college has drawn up new syllabuses for what is referred to as 'embedded teaching and learning'.

The college maintains strong links with industry and all stakeholders, such as Malta Enterprise, the Chamber of Commerce, the Employment and Training Centre and various ministries. The exchange of ideas and the information gleaned during regularly held meetings enables Mcast to understand the needs of industry, the changes in workplace technologies and the new knowledge needed to set up the necessary building blocks for development.

Recent meetings with stakeholders in the alternative sources of energy sector have identified the need for qualified technicians that are not only capable of installing, testing and commissioning renewable energy systems, but who also possess the required knowledge and competence to provide after-sales assistance, maintenance, troubleshooting and repair works. Mcast will be providing this level-IV course from October. The programme will lead to a Green Technician qualification.

Besides the short courses regularly offered to both academic and non-academic staff, the college has been offering various 'Continuous Professional Development' programmes. These ensure lecturing staff are well-equipped in terms of vocational and pedagogical skills, so as to be able to transmit quality education and up-to-date training to their students.

Over 100 members of staff are attending pedagogical courses while another 20 lecturers are being offered Masters programmes. These lecturers will participate in the delivery of the new vocational degrees which will be launched in September 2011 and 2012.

The college is encouraging mature students who would like to learn new things to consider applying for a course from which they may benefit. Mcast will assess the candidates' potential and guide them accordingly.