There is still stigma associated with the learning of vocational subjects and this could prevent students from discovering their real talents, according to Elaine Pavia, ambassador for the European Vocational Skills Week.
“Some parents do not realise that many students attending vocational colleges can be as successful as anyone attending university,” Ms Pavia, who is head of services at Dar Merħba Bik, said.
“Institutions such as Mcast, ITS and others in the private sector offer the same qualifications as a university. The slight difference is in the delivery of the lectures… they offer a more hands-on approach through apprenticeships and work placements,” she noted.
Ms Pavia herself studied at Mcast and started at the lowest level of MQF (Level 1) because she missed a subject (biology) she needed to continue her studies. She went on to obtain a Bachelor of Arts in health and social care management.
“Mcast was the key to my future. I’m a very hands-on person, so pursuing a vocational subject helped me a lot to put theory into practice,” she said.
Guardians should provide support rather than saying no and closing doors
Vocational education and training (VET) in Malta provides opportunities for learners without any qualification to access and further their education through Initial VET (IVET) qualifications. IVET starts at MQF Level 1 and provides a variety of routes for tertiary education attainment.
In the latest NSO survey on young people in the labour market (2016), released last February, those employed in highly-skilled non-manual jobs made up 41.7 per cent of youths aged between 15 and 34, youths with low-skilled jobs amounted to 35.2 per cent while those with skilled manual jobs made up 14.5 per cent.
“If you take a good look at the population, we’re increasingly coming across professionals who have pursued vocational subjects such as hairdressers, beauticians and mechanics. There are also many who work in construction, aviation and maritime. These are all vocational sectors which have different colleges within Mcast,” Ms Pavia pointed out.
“If you eat out, you have the hospitality staff, chefs, who would study at ITS,” she added.
She lauded the introduction of VET subjects in the secondary schools, which were giving students the possibility of job shadowing and, thus, helping them make more informed career choices.
Ms Pavia urged parents and guardians to push their children to consult career advisers at vocational colleges before choosing a particular career path.
“There is demand for numerous skills in various industries and it’s not at all ‘downgrading’ to study vocational subjects. Guardians should provide support rather than saying no and closing doors,” she said.
“Let children and youths discover their talent.”
‘Discover Your Talent’ is the theme of the European Vocational Skills Week between Monday and Friday. Key events and activities are taking place in Vienna, organised in close cooperation with the Austrian Presidency of the European Council. These include seminars, conferences and workshops.
On her return from Vienna, Ms Pavia intends to share the knowledge acquired through the media to continue raising awareness on the importance of vocational education and training.