“This year the government has once again increased the allocated budget by 30% to the tune of €800,000 for the Student Placement Programme,” said Mr Schembri. “This is proof of the government’s commitment to give an opportunity to our youths to have hands-on working experience in the industry of the future. This preparedness can only be achieved however if we are able to build on the academic prowess of our youth and provide them with opportunities such as these,” the minister said.

“The number of companies requiring employees having knowledge of emerging technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, internet of things, and virtual reality is always on the increase,” Mr Schembri added. “This is an opportunity for you all and focusing your studies in these areas will surely contribute for you to have a successful career.”   

In addition, MITA’s Head of Strategy and Business Emmanuel Darmanin underlined that MITA, together with employer partners, has been able in the last five years to offer over 1,600 placements in all sectors which have provided exposure to the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and ICT using industry, as the press release says. 

“In line with the various initiatives related to emerging technologies, this year’s event has been created with a direct focus on some of these technologies. I encourage to also make use of MITA’s New Emerging Technologies Lab, experience the practical use of these technologies, and above all make the most out of your Student Placement Programme,” said Mr Darmanin. 

Moreover, the students took part in workshops related to virtual reality, artificial intelligence (AI), and blockchain amongst others through which the winners were awarded Delta Tech Week. 

During the event, it was also announced that the government official blockchain event Delta Summit will be transformed into the Government Tech Week between 30 of September and 6 of October 2019 and will cover different areas such as AI, IoT, blockchain, eSports, game development and space research.

The post MITA student placement to host 380 students in 2019 first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

“As from this year, the success of [Malta Information Technology Agency] MITA’s Student Placement Programme will be replicated in the gaming and financial services sector,” Mr Schembri said on Monday when launching the 11th edition of MITA’s Student Placement Programme.

Mr Schembri tagged the last 11 years of MITA’s Student Placement Programme as a bridge for students to implement their studies in a working environment. “We are aware of circumstances where students’ get the necessary results but lack in experience, and this is what the programme has successfully addressed over the years,” the parliamentary secretary said. He added that such programmes help add practical knowledge to the students’ skill set, helping them in preparing for the future’s labour market.

He urged all employers from the private sector, public service and NGOs to participate in the programme and become an active part of this exciting journey which is providing our youth with unique hands-on experience, all the while developing tomorrow’s future workforce, the DOI press statement reported.

In the last five years, MITA and employer partners were able to offer over 1,600 placements, which translates to an investment of over €2.6m providing students with this positive experience.

Applications for students and employers who wish to participate in the Student Placement Programme are open till 29 March, the DOI statement says.

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