University of Malta

Situated at Tal-Qroqq, the University of Malta is the highest teaching institution of the State by which it is mainly financed and is open to all those who have the requisite qualifications. Over the past few years, the University has reviewed its structures in order to be in line with the Bologna process which envisages the establishment of the European Higher Education Area by 2010. Conscious of its public role, the University strives to create courses which are relevant and timely in response to the needs of the country. The supreme governing bodies of the University are the Council and the Senate. There are some 10,000 students including over 750 foreign/exchange students from nearly 80 different countries, following full-time or part-time degree and diploma courses, many of them run on the modular or credit system. A basic Foundation Studies Course enables international high school students who have completed their secondary or high school education overseas but who do not have the necessary entry requirements, to qualify for admission to an undergraduate degree course at the University of Malta.

The University is geared towards the infrastructural and industrial needs of the country so as to provide expertise in crucial fields. Over 2,500 students graduate in various disciplines annually. The degree courses at the University are designed to produce highly qualified professionals, with experience of research, who will play key roles in industry, commerce and public affairs in general. There are a further 3,000 pre-tertiary students at the Junior College which is also managed by the University.
www.um.edu.mt/


MCAST

The Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology, was set up in 2001 with the aim of providing ‘universally accessible vocational and professional education and training with an international dimension, responsive to the needs of the individual and the economy’ (Prospectus, 2002-3). The College provides a variety of courses of vocational educational training in, among others, Agribusiness, Art and Design, Building and Construction Engineering, Business and Commerce, Community Services, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Information and Communication Technology, Mechanical Engineering, and a Maritime Institute. The College is a major provider of the off-the-job educational training element of apprenticeship schemes. It works closely with the Employment and Training Corporation in ensuring these schemes meet the needs of local employees.
www.mcast.edu.mt

Institute of Tourism Studies

The Institute of Tourism Studies, set up in 1987, provides vocational education within the tourism industry on the Maltese islands. The accelerated growth in tourism increased the pressure on the local labour market for highly qualified technical and management personnel. Apart from certificate and diploma level courses, the Institute has apprenticeship programmes that falls under the ‘Extended Skill Training Scheme’ (ESTS). These programmes offer students the possibility to equip themselves with skills for entry into the hospitality and catering industry.
www.its.gov.mt

Employment and Training Corporation

The Employment and Training Corporation was established in 1990 under the Employment and Training Services Act. It was set up as a corporate body with a distinct legal personality, to provide and maintain a national public employment service. In essence, this means assisting people in finding suitable employment and assisting employers to find suitable employees. It was also given the mandate to provide training courses to promote employability, and to gather the information required to establish labour market requirements in Malta. The Organisation is based on the twin European values of solidarity and subsidiary. Its mission is “to provide and ensure equitable access to training programmes and employment opportunities and to contribute towards the social and economic development of the community” www.etc.org.mt