Gone are the days when we first learnt, then worked. Education is today a continuous, cradle-to-grave process which we all need to embrace.
Through its Education and Training 2020 Framework (2009), the Council of the European Union formally recognised the importance of lifelong learning. It consolidated this objective by setting a benchmark for each member state to have at least 15 per cent of its 25-64 population participating in lifelong learning by 2020.
Adult education figures for Malta indicate that 6.6 per cent of Malta’s 25-64 population participated in some form of adult education (Eurostat, 2011). The percentage of adults engaged in lifelong learning in Malta is increasing every year – however, like other member states, greater individual and national efforts are needed to achieve the 2020 target.
Beyond figures and benchmarks, more workers and professionals in Malta feel the need to continue training. Lifelong learning can guarantee our jobs and help us acquire the necessary qualifications to improve our quality of life. This emphasis on lifelong training is particularly impor-tant for low-skilled, unqualified persons whose employment prospects are in decline.
Mcast’s part-time courses have established themselves as the most popular lifelong learning opportunities in Malta. With over 300 different programmes conveniently delivered during evening or Saturday morning classes, the college provides lifelong learning to over 4,000 individuals every year.
The new educational opportunities introduced this month include courses in jewellery making, landscape and seascape painting, alternative ceramics firing techniques, 3D digital design, barbering techniques, basic computer techniques for parents and guardians, welding and motor vehicle basic maintenance. The college’s Aircraft Maintenance Training Centre is also offering the course leading to the EASA Cat B1.1 aircraft maintenance licence examinations as a part-time course. Normally, this is offered as a full-time programme only.
There are also courses in applied science, animal care, bee keeping, horticulture, wine making, art, interior design, fashion design and tailoring, video and photo editing, welding, stone masonry and construction, installation of renewable energy technologies, business and management skills, make-up, beauty therapy and hair care, sports psychology, electrical and electronic technologies, web and software development and programming, use of general engineering machine tools, and several programmes leading to the acquisition of licences required to operate various types of sea vessels (including the nautical licence course) or to work in the maritime sector.
“As a working mother, I find these evening classes very convenient. I’m following an advanced course which is giving me a deeper insight into children’s behaviour. Thanks to this training I feel more satisfied with my performance at the school where I work, as well as with my own children.”
Sharon Pace, 39
Learning Support Assistant
“I have completed several part-time welding courses at Mcast. Perhaps the most enjoyable part of it all is when I practise the skills I’m learning. At the same time, new work prospects that this training is helping me achieve are an added bonus.”
Emanuel Cassar, 34
Boatmaster
“The Mcast evening programmes in accounting allowed me to study this subject at a higher level without having to leave my job. In my work I handle several tasks related to accounts. Once I started acquiring a deeper knowledge of the subject, I could better understand the significance of these tasks.”
Leticia Buhagiar, 26
Administrative Manager