The Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) and the Malta Union of Teachers (MUT) have signed a new collective agreement providing improved salaries, allowances and working conditions of employees in the manager grade.

The agreement, covering January 2025 to December 2027, recognises the contribution of managers to the day-to-day running of MCAST and their role in supporting the College’s educational services and development.

The agreement introduces salary improvements and new allowances reflecting the responsibilities undertaken by managers across the College. It also includes measures aimed at improving staff wellbeing, work-life balance and inclusivity in the workplace.

MCAST managers fulfil a wide range of responsibilities, including institute management, research, logistics, maintenance, human resources, procurement and administration. Their work supports the delivery of education and training to thousands of students across the College.

The agreement was signed in the presence of the Minister for Education and Sport Hon. Byron Camilleri, the Permanent Secretary Matthew Vella, and Permanent Secretary responsible for People and Standards within the Office of the Prime Minister Joyce Cassar, together with representatives of MCAST and the MUT.

Minister Byron Camilleri said that strengthening vocational education must go hand in hand with continued investment in the people working within educational institutions.

“This is the second collective agreement being signed in five months, because it is important for us to continue strengthening the rights and improving the working conditions of educators and all employees in the education sector. Today’s agreement is a concrete recognition of the work and responsibilities of MCAST managers, who play an important role in ensuring that the College continues to provide quality education and training to our students.

“By improving working conditions, we are recognising their contribution and ensuring a professional environment that better meets today’s needs. As a government, we believe that investing in our employees also strengthens the quality of education we provide. We will therefore continue working to ensure that everyone contributing to the education sector receives the conditions and recognition they deserve,” said Minister Camilleri.

MCAST Principal and CEO Stephen Vella emphasised the importance of placing people at the centre of the College’s development.

“At MCAST, we believe that people must always be at the centre of everything we do. This agreement recognises the work and responsibilities of our managers and represents another step towards improving their working conditions. To continue providing the highest quality education to our students, we must first value the people who contribute every day to the work and development of the College,” said Mr Vella.

MUT President Marco Bonnici welcomed the agreement and acknowledged the contribution of managers to the College’s administrative and support structures.

“Today we signed an important agreement for MCAST managers, who play an essential role in the College’s support structures and administrative management. This agreement, which will begin to be implemented in the coming weeks, will improve the working conditions and financial package of these employees, while recognising their important contribution to the operation of MCAST,” said Mr Bonnici.

The agreement builds on collective agreements concluded in 2025 for other categories of MCAST employees, including academic staff, as part of ongoing efforts to improve employment conditions across the College.