Apprenticeship applications at shipyards fall short of target

In a concerted drive to change the shipyards' image with the public and promote them as a viable source of employment, Malta Drydocks yesterday opened its doors to the media inviting them to take a close look at the apprentices' training course.

After 12 years without a programme, the Malta Drydocks last August recruited 30 apprentices through the Employment and Training Corporation.

The apprentices are about to conclude the first phase of their training, from which they will eventually be posted to various centres at Malta Drydocks and Malta Shipbuilding.

An open day for relatives and the press was held yesterday.

Louis Spiteri, head of the training and development unit, said the idea behind the training courses was to introduce a philosophy of multi-skilling.

"It's not easy to introduce such a culture change, especially now that we are working hand in hand with Malta Shipbuilding. But I am certain we will get there," he said.

Just 30 of the 60 apprenticeship places available had been taken, according to Mr Spiteri.

This was a far cry from the 60s, when calls for apprentices used to get overwhelming feedback. He said that in the coming week, the 'yard would be holding interviews to engage more apprentices.

He explained that the 'yard was doing its utmost to reduce the average age (currently around 42 years) of the workforce. The government last year introduced voluntary redundancy schemes in an attempt to restructure the 'yards and make them more viable.

Mr Spiteri said more physical work was still required though specialised work was essential. Thanks to new technology, work carried out by 6,000 employees in the past could now be done by 2,000.

Methods have changed, and shipyard areas like the woodworking section were no longer required.

Mr Spiteri said there was no intention of closing down the shipyards. But with competition coming from 33 shipyards in the Mediterranean alone, it was now a case of survival of the fittest.