STC Training's open day tomorrow will focus on ICT as the common factor across economic sectors and the importance of ICT skills in virtually all careers, whether creative, business or technical.

The Pembroke-based training institute's open day is an annual opportunity for prospective students and their parents, course tutors and members of the local ICT sector to meet at an informal event aimed at heightening awareness of the value of practical, industry-aligned ICT training.

The programme includes sessions on ethical computer hacking, Linux and web design, all of which are offered at the centre throughout the year and as short courses at the STC summer school.

A key feature of the day-long event is an open panel discussion among three speakers drawn from the worlds of cinema, cuisine and cyber-crime prevention and forensic science.

The panel comprises Rebecca Cremona, a screenplay writer and film director; John Ellul, an ex-police inspector who runs a forensic consultancy firm; and Anton Dougall, a locally-renowned chef, entrepreneur and TV personality.

Mandy Mifsud, STC Business Development Manager, said that while the panel members came from different sectors, they all relied extensively on ICT - both tools and skills - to develop their work and to exploit new opportunities.

STC Training is a private sector, higher education institute with a student body of around 1,000. It runs courses from world leaders such as Cisco, NCC Education, Microsoft and Oracle. In addition to its portfolio of industry-accredited courses, it offers joint undergraduate and masters degree programmes with Middlesex University.

STC is a fully-validated partner of Middlesex University and gives students the option to live locally but gain a qualification awarded by a prestigious UK university recognised worldwide.

The open day at STC Training in Pembroke runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Full details are online at www.stcmalta.com. For more information, call 2145 3200 or e-mail info@stcmalta.com.