The teachers’ union has criticised a decision by the Malta College for Arts, Science and Technology to issue an external call for applications for a director’s post without first making an internal call.

The Malta Union of Teachers wrote to the college principal saying it was very surprised to see a call for applications on local media and the situation was “unacceptable”.

The new post of Institute of Engineering and Transport director was created after three institutes merged. Mcast, the union said, had the luxury of three directors to choose from, and the call should first have been issued internally.

The situation was of “high concern” to the union because, at face value, it appeared to be a move to remove experienced people to make way for others.

It called on the principal’s office to retract the call for applications and issue an internal call.

Mcast replied that it was normal practice for calls for senior management posts to be issued both internally and externally.

All internal applicants were welcome and encouraged to apply for these posts. On many occasions, the college pointed out, internal applicants were selected for such posts following an open and transparent selection process.

The college principal has met the directors and assured them of the institution’s high regard for their work. He would retain them at director level within specific roles that were needed at Mcast, irrespective of whether they were selected or not for this new role.

“Mcast values the work of all its staff and has made a strong commitment that, through the transformation process being proposed, the work of all staff members will be further valued and strengthened.”