ERDF 45: Extension of ETC Skills Development Centre (Phase 2)

The extension now houses ten training rooms and four offices.

The proposed project will be an extension to ETC's existing training complex. The building will be used by the Corporation to organise training programmes, schemes and initiatives that will sustain the integration of the job seekers and inactive and provide assistance to those in employment to secure and improve their position within the labour market. Within the new training centre, ETC can respond to the priorities set by the EU and the Government. In addition, ETC will be in a better position to respond to demands put forward by employers for the re-skilling and development of their existing employees.

Through this project, the ETC will increase its training capacity by fourteen training rooms and offices for training staff. Training rooms will be fully equipped with modern presentation facilities and will be accessible to persons with mobility problems. Once the extension is completed, it is envisaged that some additional 1,000 clients will make use of the new facilities each year. It is calculated that this increased demand will be due to the imminent introduction of the National Vocational Qualification requirements and the introduction of training programmes that will surely be recommended by the forum mentioned earlier on, and planned training programmes like the provision of training for trainers for English as a foreign language and for further training of people working in the hospitality industry. The premises will be used in the mornings and afternoons by job seekers and during the evenings in those in employment. The ETC will be using the premises for other ESF projects that include a training component. This will help ETC to meet the ever increasing demand of training and hence reduce the waiting time of applications.

An increase of space for training provision and administration coupled with additional resources within a modern and suitable complex. This is fundamental for the adequate environment for the transfer of knowledge, skills and competencies. The increase in the training capacity will assist the Corporation to: 1. Reduce considerably the waiting time and waiting list of persons applying with the ETC for training; 2. Improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Corporation reaching to the demand and supply of training; 3. Make better of the financial resources allocated to it by reducing expenditure on the hiring of alternative premises for training purposes; 4. Modernise the delivery of training and widen the number and type of courses which can be provided; 5. Increase control on training provision due to centralisation of services.