Professor Joachim James Calleja has been reconfirmed as Principal and CEO of the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) and will be leading the College for another term. The College’s Board of Governors unanimously approved the renewal of his mandate on 26 May 2021. Professor Calleja has been serving as the CEO of the College since June 2018 with a drive on strategic planning and implementation and ensuring parity of esteem and quality assurance for the vocational and professional education sector.

The President of the Board of Government, Professor Ian Refalo, said: “MCAST plays a crucial role in strengthening both the education and employment sector in Malta. We need strong leadership that can continue to respond to the country’s economic and social challenges. Professor Calleja and the team have our full support in striving towards a Community College for all with an emphasis on work-based learning, inclusion and excellence in education for the benefit of all learners.’’

For over two decades, Professor Calleja has been involved in vocational education and training. Before he was appointed Principal and CEO of MCAST, he was Director of the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop) from 2013 to May 2018. Before joining Cedefop, he served as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry for Education and Employment from 2011 to 2013. In September 2018, he was elected as President of the European Forum for Technical and Vocational Education (EfVET), the largest network of European training providers. His appointment in EfVET was reconfirmed for another three years in autumn 2020.

Professor Calleja was MCAST’s first Administrative Director before moving to the European Training Foundation in Turin in 2004. He started his working life at the Foundation for International Studies of the University of Malta (1986-1995), followed by other upward career moves to the United Nations International Institute on Aging (1995-1998) and the Ministry of Economic Services Malta (1998-2001). He represented Malta on the European Qualifications Framework Advisory Group, CEDEFOP’s Governing Board and the Bologna Follow-Up Group.