The Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) and the Malta Federation of Industry (MFOI) have designed a tailor-made Diploma in Manufacturing Excellence catering for the current and foreseeable trends in the local manufacturing industry. This initiative is in line with the College's Mission Statement and Strategic Plan 2007-2009 as it serves to meet the training demands/needs of industry and the economy. This Diploma is an outcome of the partnership agreement that the College signed with the MFOI last November. Amongst the other objectives of this agreement, the two bodies agreed to develop initiatives relating to the provision of industry-demanded programmes and courses.

This eleven unit Diploma, aiming at validating informal and non-formal learning and based on learning outcomes, is a hybrid of class work and hands-on mentored training, targeting employees in industry. It covers topics such as Manufacturing Strategy, Operations Management, Manufacturing Management, Materials in Manufacturing, Quality Management, Energy and Water Management, Lean Manufacturing, Financial Management, Product Development and Innovation, Supply Chain Management and Project Management.

The Manufacturing Diploma is directed to those employees in industry who have not followed a formal route of education and are interested to develop their skills and advance in the career ladder. It has been designed to match Level Four, according to the Malta Qualifications Council, and has been accredited by City & Guilds.

The course has also been approved by Malta Enterprise, whereby participants are eligible for tax credits.

"This Diploma in Manufacturing Excellence characterises what MCAST stands for. Right from inception, the College was intended to place the students at the heart of everything it did and establish itself at the hub of industry, business and commerce. We wished its curriculum to be responsive to industry's particular needs and to the ever expanding highly competitive knowledge-based economy within the context of globalization. Finally we wanted the College to attract returnees from the workforce and adults who wished to skill-up, re-skill or upgrade their competences within a lifelong learning context. It gives us pride that the alliance and close collaboration with the FOI has enabled us to put all this together and launch the Diploma in Manufacturing Excellence" Prof Maurice Grech, MCAST Principal/CEO

"Building on the extensive research carried out during 2007 and 2008 between the two organisations on validation of non-formal and informal learning, the programme material outlines the main trends in the manufacturing industry and will provide the participants with the required competencies and expertise to face the challenges being posed by the current and foreseeable changes in the manufacturing industry." Mr Martin Galea, FOI President and Managing Director, Joinwell Group of Companies.

As stated in the College's Strategic Plan 2007-2009 'At MCAST we actively engage with professional bodies so as to follow developments in skills, competences and knowledge required for the proper carrying out of professional activities and to ensure that the curricula and the related teaching and learning taking place at MCAST are relevant, valid and internationally recognised."

The Diploma is spread over two years and will be offered on a part-time basis. Interested applicants may register for the course at the MCAST Information Centre, MCAST Main Campus, Corradino Hill, Paola from the 1 September to the 12 September 2008 from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm. Further information may be obtained by phone on Tel: 23987100.