138 students graduate in ICT

In a graduation ceremony held yesterday evening, 138 individuals were presented with certificates after attaining a national diploma in information and communications technology (ICT).

Austin Gatt, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Communications (MITC) congratulated the students for becoming ICT professionals. 

The ESF 2.12 Second Step Training Programme, launched by the Malta Information Technology Agency (MITA) and co-financed by the European Union through the European Social Fund, enabled participants to achieve one out of three possible diplomas in ICT for free.

Half of the 531 applicants that applied met the eligibility criteria for the programme.

During the ceremony, Gatt said: "Today we are living in a digital age where technology and innovation have become key contributors to economic growth. 

"More than two decades ago, when computers were still in their infancy, government was bold enough to recognise the potential that ICT can bring about and we realised the added value that a knowledge-based society and economy has for our objective to develop Malta's productivity and gain competitive edge." 

He added: "The amount of pupils from our educational institutions must be supplemented by getting more people motivated into taking up a career in ICT.  This will enable our ICT industry to find the right set of skills amongst the local population. 

"Indeed, one of the challenges we have today is that ICT companies are not finding enough people in Malta with the specialisations they require."

Meanwhile, Dr Godwin Grima, MITA's chairman, said that "today's economy relies on a smart workforce and initiatives such as the Second Step Training Programme provide the right platform for people to upgrade their skills and be in a better position to find better and smarter jobs".