NO. 1161
Cottonera Students Successful in Work Experience
Twenty one Form 4 students from the Cottonera Area have successfully concluded a month-long work experience during their summer holidays. The students all attend Lorenzo Gafa Boys’ Secondary School at Fortini, a school forming part of Cottonera College. During the month of July these students gained experience at three important work places, Malta Shipyards, Guttenberg Press and Vista Co-op.
At Malta Shipyards, sixteen students attended the Malta Shipyards Training Centre were they were taught four different trades which included bench fitting, lathe work, pipe work and sheet metal work.
Malta Shipyards sponsored the students for the whole month of this experience and also provided them with all the safety clothing and equipment necessary. In fact, the contribution of Malta Shipyards to Lorenzo Gafa Boys’ Secondary School has been invaluable over the years and has been an excellent example of the manner in which an important industry can give a significant contribution to the wider community. The students found this experience to be very enriching and they showed enthusiasm and commitment throughout the experience. They developed a number of projects during the month-long work experience.
These were then exhibited to be viewed by their parents and other distinguished guests during a presentation ceremony held today and which was presided by the Minister of Education Dr. Louis Galea who also presented student with a certificate of attendance.
When addressing students, parents and staff members Dr. Galea said that it is very encouraging to see schools working with the Industry and the private sector to provide students with tangible training opportunities so that they will be able to translate this experience into basic skills for their future in the industry or for further training at higher levels.
Minister Galea said that students in secondary schools were being offered technology education as a basis for further studies and skill development in various technologies and skills. Minister Galea said that this had resulted in a higher esteem for technology subjects. With the advent of MCAST and its fast growth, students now have a wide choice of courses available for them to continue their education at a higher level. Louis Galea said that he had been following the programme that Lorenzo Gafa’ school had been organizing for several years now and has seen the tangible benefits this programme provides students with. He said that he was always impressed by the level of enthusiasm of the students, at times in contrast with the interest shown on normal school days. He said that this should be an example for all schools to continue to work hard to provide our students with tangible and relevant learning experiences according to the type of student and his/her needs.
Minister Galea also thanked the Co-ordinator of the Cottonera College who is bringing about positive change in the schools which form part of the college, he said that in the past two scholastic years of the college’s existence a myriad of interesting initiatives have been taken and this augurs well for other colleges which have been set up more recently.
Dr. Cecilia Borg, Director General of Education and by Ms. Salvina Muscat, Cottonera College Co-ordinator also attended the activity.
This year the work experience for Lorenzo Gafa students was not limited to Malta Shipyards. Two other students underwent a work experience at Guttenberg Press, one of the most important printing presses on the island while three other students are currently working with Vista Co-op, helping in the organization of Kidstart Summer School. This is the third year that students from the school underwent such a work experience with a printing press and a summer school.
Mr. Stephen Cachia, Acting Head of School, thanked all the entities involved, particularly Malta Shipyards for once again organizing this activity for school students. He praised the students for the maturity and commitment shown and thanked Mr. Ray Borg, Malta Shipyards Training Centre Co-ordinator, and his staff for the exemplary dedication and patience they had shown in working with students throughout the month. He also thanked school staff members who gave up some days of their summer holidays to accompany students on a daily basis during this experience.
Stephen Cachia, Acting Head of School, said that in this manner the school is trying to cater for the different wishes of students as well as the demands presented by a rapidly changing job market. He said that the aim of the experience is to encourage students to keep on learning and studying after allowing them to have first hand experience of the world of work. He said that this is an important learning experience which greatly motivates students and which helps students to develop more mature personalities.
Mr. Cachia thanked the three organizations for their support and help, particularly Mr. Ray Borg, Training Co-ordinator of Malta Shipyards, Mr. Joe Galea, Human Resources Manager of Guttenberg Press and Ms. Rosette Thake Co-ordinator of Kidstart Summer Club for Vista Co-op.
DOI – 26.07.2007
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