The Minister for Gozo, Giovanna Debono has presented certificates to 167 participants who have attended courses in basic skills in 'Literacy and Numeracy,' and in 'Agriculture,' which were held at the University Gozo Centre, between November 2007 and June 2008. These courses were organised on the initiative of the Ministry for Gozo and were co-financed through the European Social Fund under the Structural Funds Programme for Malta 2004-2006.

Literacy and Numeracy courses offered participants the opportunity to enhance their basic reading and writing skills in Maltese and English together with basic numeracy skills throughout eighty hours of tuition. The courses in Agriculture sought to enhance the basic skills of those who work or would like to work within the agricultural sector, through tuition and practical sessions.

Minister Debono congratulated the participants for completing their respective courses and emphasised that the Ministry for Gozo is committed towards enhancing human resource skills on the island of Gozo. The Minister remarked that during the first years of Malta's accession to the EU, Gozo benefited strongly through EU financed projects.

These projects not only aimed to enhance the infrastructure on the island but also included courses and schemes addressed at improving the employability prospects of Gozitans. In fact, between 2005 and 2007, around six hundred persons attended for various courses offered at the University Gozo Centre, the Wistin Camilleri Gozo Centre for Art and crafts as well as courses and schemes offered through the ETC in Gozo.

Minister Debono pointed out that the Ministry for Gozo is committed towards improving human resource skills on the island through similar courses, which will also be part financed through EU funds. Government has allocated 10% of the total Structural Funds Programme for Malta 2007-2013, for projects specifically intended to address the island's special needs.

The Minister for Gozo urged all those who participated in the agriculture related courses together with their tutors, to participate in the recently launched public consultation programme which will lead to the drafting of the strategy to be followed to attain Government's vision for Gozo as an eco-island.