Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/210069
12 BUSINESS & FINANCE maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 13 NOVEMBER 2013 2,000 students to attend Microsoft programme at MIC 33% of Fifth Form students do not make it past SEC exams "33% of fifth form students do not make it past the SEC exams either because they are not academically inclined or they are just not interested in pursuing their education further. This is a worrying problem that all stakeholders including Government, educators and private sector need to address." This was stated by Hon Evarist Bartolo, Minister for Education during the official launch of "Spark the Change", a three-week programme of events organised by Microsoft Malta in collaboration with the Director of Curriculum for Church schools, MISCO Malta and Holistic Institute of Technology and a number of guidance teachers for 2,000 Form 4 students in Church schools. The events to be held over the coming three weeks will address the students' education in relation to employment opportunities that are available in the market now and what will be available in the coming few years. Minister Bartolo outlined that today, Government and the private sector are already offering a lot of opportunities to students however, these opportunities are available to those who equip themselves with the right skills. One of the most urgent issues that our country, as in the rest of Europe, needs to be addressed is that of youth unemployment. The Minister remarked that the curriculum needs to be constantly revised in order to be in synch with the demands of the industry and that guidance teachers need to collaborate more with HR specialists who can advise them on the skills that the industry is looking for in those looking for employment. For three whole weeks, groups of students will be attending daily sessions at the Microsoft Innovation Centre in Skyparks where they will not only be exposed to the latest technology such as tablets, productivity tools and cloud technology but will be also equipped with a broader base of skills that local and international employers are currently asking for. Topics will include IT Skills, softskills and networking - all of which will be delivered by experts in the industry like Holistic Institute of Technology and MISCO Malta. Students will leave with tangible results in hand namely certification of attendance, School Leaving Certificate (SLC) credits, 1,000 Microsoft Office Specialist MOS, Education Minister Evarist Bartolo (centre) Certificates (pending exam) 500 Mr Hirano. t-shirts for Digi-Girlz (focusing on "When Microsoft opened the creating excitement around STEM Microsoft Innovation Center earlier subjects specifically for girls) this year, we were renewing our Learning Journal for each student pledge to Malta's innovation drive. (ppt, skydrive, outlook accounts) Being innovative means being able and Learning Resource kits. Other to think big, knowing you have the partners such as Nectar have taken right opportunities and infrastructure proactive steps to include this backing you. Microsoft has all this in their CSR program and have and is putting its resources at the very generously sponsored all the service of Malta's local education refreshments and snacks for 2,000 sector to help students understand students and teachers. that the opportunities are there and "This project takes the students they just have to grab them," added outside their school environment Mr Hirano. and brings them closer to the The three-week programme is needs of today's industry to help offering 1,000 Microsoft Office them define their career and life Specialist (MOS) vouchers goals," explained Takuya Hirano, available to students who want to Microsoft's general manager for take the opportunity to sit for the the multi-country region within exam and get further certification. Microsoft Central and Eastern As a follow-up and extension to the Europe. "This program is unlike program Microsoft will host specific any other that we have run in workshops for both parents and Malta or even other countries in students and will also offer ECDL the region – in as much as it is a upgrade courses and workshops to deep engagement that will lead to help the students get accreditation more awareness on the resources and pass the certification exam. we offer to Maltese students," said Looking to the future, students would do well to look out for MISCO's internship/summer jobs program which they will run in the summer of 2014 and also a competition called Schoollab that we are running in collaboration with the British Council which will be launched in November. This competition will invite young students to take an interest in STEM subjects (Science, Technology Engineering and Maths) and share their knowledge with a broader audience in a fun and interactive way. A spokesperson from the Directorate for Educational Services within the Secretariat for Catholic Education said that the Directorate has for the past years been encouraging Guidance teachers to prepare students for the world of work. "When Microsoft announced its intention to help finance and run this educational project, the Heads of Department for PSD and Guidance immediately realised the opportunity being presented as this was in line with our efforts to assist students improve their employability skills. We are delighted with this collaboration with Microsoft in Malta who through this three-week series of workshops on Soft Skills and IT Skills and more practical networking sessions will be bringing students closer to the real needs of today's industry through a more practical approach." "There has been substantial investment in IT infrastructure when compared to other countries in the region. Teachers use laptops, most schools in Malta employ interactive whiteboards in classrooms and in many schools one finds learning management platforms such as Pearson Fronter and Microsoft's Office 365. However, it is also important to address the mismatch between students' skills and knowledge and to specifically address those skills that employers and industry actors are looking for. This project for 2000 students is a bold step in that direction," concluded Hirano.