Government launches a renewed student placement programme

The Malta Information Technology Agency (MITA) in collaboration with the Parliamentary Secretariat for Competitiveness and Economic Growth has launched the Student Placement Programme for employers seeking temporary additional ICT and ICT-related human resources. This year the Student Placement Programme has been significantly improved and made more attractive to employers as Government will be once again co-financing 50 per cent of the students' wage together with other additional services which have been added to benefit employers and students.

Addressing a number of past participants as well as representatives from educational institutions, the Honourable Parliamentary Secretary for Competitiveness and Economic Growth Dr Edward Zammit Lewis said that "The Programme pairs students with employers for a temporary valuable work experience that leaves a lasting positive impact on the students' employability. During the summer, students gain experiential knowledge, contribute tangibly to the economy and get to network with ICT practitioners and professionals whilst exploring their future career possibilities."

The Programme, continued Hon Zammit Lewis, is an important commitment for Government as it forms part of its pledge to enable a sound Digital Economy. Government believes that the Digital Economy is an important pillar for a strong local economy that provides an ideal eco-system for entrepreneurship and where investment in technology and in the human resources is paramount. Investment in education and the availability of further ICT specialisations, said Hon Zammit Lewis, is an aspect of Government's strategy, whereby students are supported to learn and specialise in line with the opportunities and necessities of the Digital Economy marketplace.

Over the past years, hundreds of employers and students have benefited from active participation in the Student Placement Programme. MITA Executive Chairman, Tony Sultana said that "The Programme has been an opportunity for some students to find their full time occupation following an impressive performance during the summer period. MITA received positive feedback even from participating employers, and this year in addition to the co-sponsorship of the wage costs we further strengthened the Programme with external coaches who will mentor students to develop their competences through a structured Placement Plan."
The Student Placement Programme runs for a 12-week period between July and September 2013. Students will work for 30 hours per week and from past placements they are typically assigned tasks related to three areas, namely business analysis, networks and software/applications development. Projects and assignments given to the students in the workplace will improve students' technical competences and soft skills. The rate of remuneration is €5.51/hour. Government will co-sponsor 50 per cent of this salary rate for placements in the private sector and 100 per cent of the salary costs for the students employed in the public sector. This financial incentive is meant to encourage employers in all sectors to participate in the programme.

The Student Placement Programme is an important measure along with other MITA Digital Outreach policy actions to address the talent requirements demanded by the industry and reduce the mismatch between the supply and demand for ICT skills. The programme provides an active platform where students can interact with employers from ICT and other sectors whilst improving their skills profile to match closer the industry's requirements.

Employers participating in the programme will help boost students' employability and work-readiness by immersing them in the real world of work. The programme is intended to closely align the students' expectations and understanding of the workplace with the professional world.

Employers wishing to participate in this programme should send an e-mail to [email protected] indicating the qualification, knowledge and skill level they prefer, together with the number of placements they are willing to make available to students.

MITA will seek to match the demand against supply on the basis of the employers' requirements and will send participating employers a list of candidates together with CVs and copies of transcripts (when available). Employers can then conduct interviews with the students and select the students they wish to engage.

Students, following an ICT or ICT-related course (equivalent to MQF Level 4 and higher) at University, MCAST or at a private training provider, must apply for a summer placement by Sunday, 16th June 2013. Students who are awaiting the results of their ICT or ICT-related A'Level or Intermediate qualification can also apply. Student applications are only accepted online through an electronic form available from www.mita.gov.mt/spp.

Further information regarding the Student Placement Programme for both the employers and students is available from www.mita.gov.mt/spp.