The new extension to the ETC Training Complex in Val Far was recently inaugurated by the Hon. Dr Louis Galea, Minister of Education, Youth and Employment. This extension was made possible through funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). ETC has obtained €597,894 (Lm 256,675) to complete this project and has benefited from almost €6 million (Lm 2.57 m) under the European Social Fund (ESF) and around €600,000 (Lm257,580) from the European Regional Development Fund ERDF).

The project is an extension to the Corporation’s Training Complex, from which over 70,000 people received a variety of training programmes in the past years. In the past financial year (Oct 2006 - Sept 2007), over 8,200 people were trained. Training varied from basic skills to IT-related subjects, from literacy to managerial courses, and from trade to business courses. ETC currently provides over 130 different courses aimed at improving the employability of its clients.

The new complex will enable the Corporation to meet the demand for more training programmes from jobseekers, those in employment wishing to further their knowledge and skills, and from employers. The building includes workshops specifically equipped for both theoretical and practical trade training, electrical installations, engineering and ICT. Each room is equipped with the latest technological training equipment. This extension is the first phase of this upgrading. ETC also applied for another project which will include the construction of a new training block which will eventually enable the Corporation to offer more training facilities to its clients. This project falls under the new funding period (2007 – 2013) and should be completed by 2009 with an investment of € 627,000 (Lm 269,170).

Source: DOI