Vodafone Malta is offering university students a chance to gain experience in the telecommunications sector while they study.
The University Students Programme is open to young people in their penultimate year of studies. The telecommunications sector is a very topic-specific industry but job opportunities are not only provided to students who specialise in areas that are technology-related. Opportunities on offer vary from engineering, law, marketing and business studies, to communications, financial studies, and management.
“We believe university students offer a choice of the best talent on the islands,” Vodafone Malta’s head of human resources Martin Gregory said. “We look for people who are talented, determined, willing to be innovative and creative, and willing to learn.”
The Vodafone Malta University Students Programme has been running for two years and Mr Gregory reports a very positive response from university students. An assessment day was organised last May with the help of business partners Think Talent to select the best students.
Seven students were selected in the first year and eight for this year’s programme. A record 127 applications were received this year and a shortlist of 20 candidates was drawn before the final eight were awarded a placement after assessment.
Work placements started in June and students are offered a one-year contract. Students work full time in summer and then shift to reduced hours in winter according to their study commitments.
“Students undergo induction training, gain on-the-job learning, and regular feedback to help their career development, real-life work to build their business skills, communications and equipment benefits plus all the support they need during their preparation stage for their dissertation. Students recruited for the Vodafone University Students Programme will have better chances at securing a graduate job. Meaningful work experience while still at university means better prospects later on in life,” added Mr Gregory.
Vodafone Malta has dedicated over €200,000 to support its employees further their education. Over the last 10 years, Vodafone has supported 81 different certifications through this initiative ranging from business certifications, diploma certifications, Bachelor and Master’s degrees.
Over the last six years, 15 Vodafone Malta employees have taken on short-term assignments, long-term assignments and even permanent moves to the Vodafone mother company or other companies within the group.