NEWS | Wednesday, 27 February 2008

New Community Technology Learning Centre opens in Valletta

A joint investment by HP and Microsoft together with the Ministry for Investment, Industry and Information Technology, which started in 2004 to bridge the digital divide, is continuing to bear fruit with the opening of the 8th Community Technology Learning Centre (CTLC). The new centre is set up at the Employment Training Centre in Old Theatre Street, Valletta and will provide free training courses in information and communication technology (ICT).
This was announced in conjunction with new ICT initiatives for the elderly by Austin Gatt, Minister for Investment, Industry and IT. During his speech, he thanked both Microsoft and HP for sponsoring the eight Community Technology Learning Centre.
Present for the occasion were Joe Cutajar, ETC Senior Manager Training Services; Joe Bezzina, ETC Senior Executive Training Services; Josephine Attard Biancardi, Executive ETC skills; Pierre Mallia, Country Manager for Microsoft Malta Ltd and Wayne Hewitt, Channel Sales Manager at Systec Limited, authorised distribution and service delivery partner of HP in Malta.
Malta is striving to become a global ICT hub and will be attracting more ICT companies in addition to those already established on the islands. The Community Technology Learning Centre at ETC will serve job seekers to improve their ICT knowledge with specialised courses and find new opportunities in the work force.
In line with worldwide commitment of HP and Microsoft to bridge the digital divide, two of the world’s largest IT companies, entered into a Vertical Strategic Alliance with the Government of Malta under the Hello IT initiative in 2004.
HP, through two of their Authorized Partners in Malta, namely Systec Limited and Fortune Technologies Limited, has contributed towards the provision of HP computers and printers. HP has also introduced its MAP (Micro-enterprise Acceleration Programme), a special training course for entrepreneurs of small businesses and it is being executed in collaboration with the Ministry for Investment, Industry and IT at selected CTLCs.