MCAST is “not second division”, its principal has insisted, as the college rolls out new courses and expands its reach in a bid to shake off misconceptions about vocational education. The Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology provides opportunities for anyone looking to advance their education and does not simply offer second chances to struggling students, Stephen Vella said. “This whole idea that MCAST is for ‘second chancers’ is passé. We do offer second opportunities. But no matter where you are in your journey, MCAST’s door is open to help you reach your goals,” he emphasised. Vella addressed common misconceptions about the college set up 25 years ago. The first was that 30% of students entering MCAST lack basic skills that should have been acquired during secondary education. He argued the situation is more nuanced. “This figure doesn’t necessarily mean these students never had the skills. Many are changing career paths and need to build a foundation in a new field,” he explained. “For instance, we’ve had 16-year-olds who just completed their O’ Level in accounting and decided to pursue 3D design. Without an art background, they have to start at Level 3. We’re seeing this more often.” Malta Qualifications Framework (MQF) is an 8-level system that classifies all educational qualifications in Malta, from basic skills (level 1) to doctorates (level 8). Ninety per cent of MCAST graduates who enter with an MQF level 2 (lower secondary education) pursue further education. Almost three-quarters of level 3 (more advanced secondary education, O’ Levels) graduates continue to the next stage. A total of 65% of level 4 (A levels) graduates move on to higher studies. Seventeen per cent of current level 6 (Bachelor degrees or equivalent) students began their journey at level 2 or 3. In November, 35% of new level 6 entrants were external applicants, while 59% were MCAST students progressing internally. Today, the college has about 8,000 full-time students at any one time compared to 1,000 when it started. A new Institute for the Trades Another misconception is that MCAST focuses solely on trades. While it might have started that way 25 years ago, the plan was to evolve it according to the needs of the country. “When MCAST opened in 2001, it started because it was needed. Back then there was a lacuna, but the vision was always to grow beyond that. We are evolving based on what is happening in the country and the needs of the industry,” he said. And because the country still needs trades, MCAST will be boosting trade education from the upcoming scholastic year by offering shorter, flexible courses that cater to the modern market and include those already employed. “We need tradespeople – plumbers, electricians and so on… But the tradesperson of the future is different to the tradesperson of the past. Today they look into technology,” Vella said. The concept of the tradesman has shifted from that of a manual labourer to a skilled professional operating in a technology-infused world. While over the years, MCAST has been offering courses in various trades within different institutes (for example, basic plumbing and electrical installation are offered within the Engineering Institute), from the upcoming scholastic year it will open the Institute for the Trades. This new institute will be dedicated to flexible, shorter one-year courses that lead to a certificate in: trowel trades (plumbing, plastering and painting, tile-laying), tile-making and stonework, textile techniques (weaving, embroidery, sewing), metal works (wrought iron, aluminium, copper), and precious metalworks (silver and goldsmithing, filigree). “We are offering them as there are people who are already working and their time is restricted. Two years might be too long for them, so there are modules that focus on a flexible learning pathway with the plan to expand as needed,” he says. Is MCAST competing with university? More than 50,000 people in Malta have graduated at some level from MCAST. The college today is uniquely placed as it offers courses from basic levels to advanced diplomas, as well as Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctorate levels. But does it seek to compete with the University of Malta? “The fact that the student has a choice is a positive thing. We are a vocational institution, while the university is academic,” he says. While there are overlaps with courses, such as engineering and nursing, the university focuses on the academic aspect and MCAST is more hands-on. Work-based learning continues to grow, and preparing students for the world of work remains a priority. Full-time student enrolment in apprenticeship-based courses has increased by an average of 18% over four years. By this year, 61% of full-time students were exposed to work-based learning or apprenticeships, up from 50% in 2024. “Ultimately, what’s important is that students leave MCAST with improved job opportunities and growth,” he said. MCAST is also looking to grow. In 2017 it started drawing up a strategy for internationalisation with 150 foreign students. That number has now reached over 1,500 from 90 nationalities – the majority are from India, studying applied sciences for health and nursing. But there are also several going for aviation and maritime. The maritime sector also offered a different form of expansion, with an MCAST course being offered at the Metropolitan College in Greece. Despite being an island with one of the biggest maritime flags, Vella confesses it is difficult to attract students. Finding lecturing staff is a challenge due to the nature of the job, which entails being out at sea. Looking forward MCAST also started offering a veterinary course in collaboration with a university in Barcelona – the first in Malta. It seeks to expand its research and currently employs 76 researchers, underlining its growing role in applied research and innovation across sectors. This year, Vella admits, was marred by the collective agreement saga, signed in May after years of disputes and directives. Another issue was the reported “hidden” €8,000 annual top-up paid to ICT lecturers at MCAST, which the Ombudsman found was unfair and showed serious problems in the way the college was being run. Vella insisted there was nothing secret about this. The top-up was originally introduced in 2006 by the PN government of the time, in an effort to help MCAST’s ICT institute attract and retain staff when the private sector was offering much better salaries. It was approved during planning for the Smart City project, which was originally envisaged as a major IT hub. “It was a cabinet decision at a time when Malta was looking at Smart City… MCAST cannot reverse a political decision. It was taken through the politician. I cannot stop it,” he says. Looking to the year ahead, he is positive that he can now focus his energy on taking the college forward. The master plan projects funded through ERDF are now complete. These include building for the Institute of Engineering and Transport, the MCAST Resource Centre and the newest Institute of Information and Communication Technology. There is now an EU application in process for the new Institute for the Creative Arts which would need another six years from approval of funding.