MCAST students’ visit to Burmarrad Commercials

Burmarrad Commercials welcomed MCAST Institute of Mechanical Engineering students to visit its automobile workshops and learn about the recently-launched Paintless Dent Removal technology.

The Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) students met the company directors as well as other members of staff at the workshops where different automotive services are offered. The highlight of the visit was a meeting with a group of technicians who were brought to Malta from the UK company Smart Cover UK a few weeks ago, to provide Paintless Dent Removal services to vehicles hit by the recent hail storm that hit parts of our Island .

In collaboration with Atlas Insurance PCC Ltd, Burmarrad Commercials was one of the first companies to introduce an efficient solution to repair vehicles damaged by last month's hail storms. Hundreds of vehicles were severely dented by these storms. The two companies chose an internationally-recognised partner from the UK to support their clients through this service.

Mr Charles Micallef, Managing Director at Smart Cover UK, explained that through this technology. These hundreds of dents are accessed from behind and worked into shape keeping your car paint original therefore retaining its value at time of resale.

This type of repair is Green as no paint or filler is used.

PDR can also be used to repair those annoying small car park dents which normally happen when a car door opens onto your car door in tight car pack spaces. The fact that so many people still know nothing about the art of PDR means it remains the motor industries best kept secret.

The MCAST students met Mr Micallef and his team of technicians in the workshop set up specifically for this work. They had an opportunity to observe and appreciate the diligence, patience and attention to detail required mastering the techniques of Paintless Dent Removal, a technology that is not normally seen in the local automotive sector. Since Burmarrad Commercials offers all automotive after sales service under one roof, the MCAST students were also introduced to the company's professional team of staff working in different workshops  - spray painting, panel beating, auto electricians, refrigeration repairs, mechanical repairs, body building and modifications, and tyre repairs.

Mr Mario Gauci, Jnr, Burmarrad Commercial's director, explained that the company is committed to continue collaborating with the ETC and MCAST in the best interest of its current and future employees. In fact, the company keeps ETC updated with its latest job vacancies within the group. Burmarrad Commercials also employs several MCAST students as apprentices, through the support of the Employment and Training Corporation (ETC)'s apprenticeship programme. Some of the company's managerial staff had joined the company as apprentice mechanics while still studying at MCAST and eventually progressed through the ranks. The company also encourages its staff members to continue developing their skills and qualifications through MCAST's evening courses.

"We are now looking into the possibility of collaborating with MCAST and ETC to establish a Burmarrad Commercials academy to provide hands-on training to students who wish to acquire the manual skills required in the automotive industry.  These skills are becoming very uncommon in Malta - we find it very difficult to find professional workers with these skills. By setting up an academy, we aim to ensure that these important skills and trades do not perish," Mr Gauci concluded.

Ing Aurelio Micallef Grimaud, the Director of the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, thanked Burmarrad Commercials for giving MCAST students this invaluable opportunity to learn about new skills related to their studies. "Such collaborations help us provide our students with a wide range of experiences in different industrial settings. Through them, we make sure that our students are being adequately prepared to succeed in their engineering careers as soon as they complete their studies at MCAST. At the same time, these initiatives give employers an opportunity to provide us with feedback about the skills, qualifications and values required from future workers for the successful development of their current and future investment plans."  

Mr Jean Pierre Meilaq in charge of the apprenticeship schemes at ETC also thanked Burmarrad Commercials for their active participation in the apprenticeship scheme and explained that over the past years Burmarrad Commercials trained several young persons through the apprenticeship scheme. Mr Meilaq stated that some of these persons who were trained by Burmarrad Commercials through the apprenticeship scheme are still employed with this company on a full time basis. "This is one of the main factors which makes apprenticeship so popular with employers and explains why over 280 employers participate in the apprenticeship scheme. Through apprenticeship employers are given the opportunity to invest in their future workforce. Apprenticeship also enhances the employability of young persons and facilitates their transition from school to work. Through apprenticeship youngsters get the best of both worlds; theoretical training combined with practical experience."

For more information about Burmarrad Commercials, call or email on 21573261 and [email protected].