Twenty-five workers from a total of sixteen manufacturing companies have successfully completed the Diploma Course in Manufacturing Excellence which was launched by MCAST two years ago. The eleven study modules, each of which had a 30-hour taught component, were designed with an aim to equipping candidates with the ability to understand and critically analyse various aspects of manufacturing, from strategy to systems and techniques.

Speaking at the Graduation Ceremony, held recently for the first group of employees who benefited from this programme, Professor Maurice Grech, Principal and CEO of MCAST gave a brief account of the idea behind this initiative which was born from the close collaboration between the College and the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry and the employers themselves. The course, accredited by the City and Guilds, was aimed at individuals who were already working at supervisory level in a manufacturing environment. The benefits for employers and employees were reciprocal and as a result the successful students have been prepared to participate and contribute to the development process of manufacturing at their place of work in the knowledge that, with the right level of maturity, one could progress to higher levels of responsibility.

A quick reference to a selection of module titles would give a good idea of the contents of the course, e.g., Operations Management – Manufacturing, Planning and Scheduling. Materials in Manufacturing, Quality Management, Product Development and Innovation, Internationalisation in Manufacturing, and so on.

Following the successful take-up of this Diploma, MCAST and the Malta Chamber has once again undertaken the Diploma in Manufacturing Excellence in March 2010 and is planning another launch shortly. The diploma course will once more benefit from the support of the main employers on the Island, and is directed to those employees in industry who have not followed a formal route of education and are interested in developing their skills and advance in the career ladder.

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