Government to help finance summer ICT work placements

Scheduled to run from July to September 2012, job placements will be open to full-time students eager to gain real-world experience before embarking on future careers ICT-related career fields.

The government said that it is also offering to finance 50% of the student wages on ICT-related summer internships.

These internships fall under the 2012 Student Placement Programme (SPP), managed by the Malta Information Technology Agency (MITA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Infrastructure, Transport and Communications (MITC).

The aim of the programme is to create a win-win situation where employers benefit from the fresh approach that students bring to their organisations while students gain the practical industry skills they need to get a head start on their career. 

“From our on-going contact with ICT students, we understand how valuable real-world skills can be,” MITA spokesperson Fabianne Ruggier explained.

Ruggier said that these students often feel that despite being knowledgeable in their area of studies, they lack the hands-on skills and confidence to implement what they know.

 “These placements strive to bridge that gap, and past editions show that they have been very successful,” Ruggier said.

Meanwhile, employers gain ‘great value’ interns, who bring a breath of fresh air into their company and provide new, cutting-edge ideas.

“Many of the employers who took part in previous years’ programmes commented very favourably about the students they took on. They praised the students’ willingness to work as part of a team, as well as their productivity and sheer motivation.

“Additionally, several chose to keep the students on after the initial placement term was up,” Ruggier continued

Numerous employers also chose to offer their interns full-time positions within their company once they had graduated.

“This interaction with the existing workforce and new recruits also guides students to understand how their skills can be best utilised within an organisation, and can lead to future opportunities for both the employer and the student.

“This programme is all about bringing people together for the enhancement of the ICT and ICT-related sectors in Malta, and it has certainly make fantastic strides towards that already,” Ruggier said.

Interested employers must apply by 24 June 2012. This can be done by sending an e-mail to [email protected]   clearly indicating their requirements including any particular qualification preferences and the knowledge/skill level they are seeking, together with their contact details. The SPP team at MITA will then get in touch directly.