Through the VETIF project the MCAST wanted to ensure: A) That MCAST learners gain a work experience abroad that will help present them with more opportunities in the future. B) Learners learn to face the main challenges in their specific industry by working under pressure, in a team and independently; C) That MCAST staff will job shadow or teach abroad to help keep them updated and relevant in their subject areas and expertise for the future; D) Learners and staff get to experience the main differences between the local, the European & the international market; E) Learners and staff get to experience a new European country and culture; The MCAST must also ensure that Learners and staff travel to a wide variety of countries in Europe so that MCAST can become a well-connected vocational educational hub in the Mediterranean with European connections from East to West and North to South. This is especially important in light of Brexit and the uncertainty of the UK’s participation in the future in the Erasmus+ programme.
The main target for the VETIF project is to give MCAST students the opportunity to experience a different work environment then they would experience in the Maltese Islands. The VETIF project in line with the MCAST Internationalisation strategy will help learners to gain experience abroad in their field of study that will enrich their curriculum vitae. The Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) is the major Vocational Educational and Training (VET) college in the Maltese Islands. The MCAST trains and prepares youths and adults in a wide range of specialised skills in order to provide the future workforce for the industry. To remain relevant to today’s fast changing job market MCAST educators and staff have to stay updated, informed and prepared. Through the VETIF project MCAST wants to give staff the opportunity to job shadow in industry or in a vocational college in another European country. These mobilities will help MCAST staff keep updated on the latest technologies, teaching and working methods etc. The VETIF project will also give the opportunity for MCAST educators to lecture in partner colleges thus ensuring that the project will lead to cross fertilisation of ideas.