The Guidance and Counselling team within MCAST works together to run and offer the optimum service both to prospective students and their parents and to MCAST students following courses in the nine different Institutes. The duties of the Guidance and Counselling team can be divided into three main areas:-

• Vocational Guidance and Counselling
• Personal Counselling
• Group activities

Vocational Guidance and Counselling

Recently we have witnessed a huge increase in educational opportunities in all sectors and at different levels. Traditional jobs and the manufacturing sector are on the decrease while entrepreneurial opportunities in the services industry are flourishing. These changes are effecting our youths in their choice of career.

In a college like MCAST where students are trained for the career of their choice, vocational guidance is of utmost importance. If students have taken an informed decision and are sure of their choice, they need help and encouragement to go on along the chosen path. If students are not very sure or have found difficulties along the course, they need to be aware of alternative paths.

MCAST Counsellors assist students through this process of development by giving individual appointments to help them explore alternative paths and decide on the right one in order to reach their goals.

Students who are not fulfilled by their choice of course at MCAST or at any other post secondary / tertiary institution, need to clarify their aspirations. MCAST Counsellors explore with them alternative courses available at MCAST or elsewhere. Adults who are considering to further their studies or are searching for alternative careers may also make use of MCAST guidance and counselling services.

Personal Counselling

Counselling can be used as a vehicle for students to get more out of life. Personal counselling at MCAST is more growth oriented and focuses on the future, on the goals that provide direction in life and on the ability of the students to create their own destiny.

Students are encouraged to seek help and make use of the counselling service. In some challenges encountered in life, support, encouragement and understanding can help them cope better with their emotions. Counselling is effective to the degree that students, through Student - Counsellor interactions, are in a better position to manage their challenging situations and / or develop the unused resources and opportunities of their lives more effectively.

The process includes:-

• Identifying exploring and clarifying their challenging situations and unused opportunities.
• Helping students develop goals, objectives or agendas based on an action-oriented understanding of the problem situation - establish priorities.
• Helping students develop action strategies for accomplishing goals, opportunities that will make a difference.
• Helping students act on what they have learnt both within and outside the counselling session.

MCAST Counsellors believe that their students have the energy and it is up to all adults involved to remove constraints and let them maximize their potential for their personal satisfaction and to bring positive benefits for society.

Group Activities

Counsellors see both to the individual needs of students as well as to the group / class needs. In all classes and workshops especially, it is important that students help each other and work as a team. This team work leads to optimum individual and class results. The MCAST team work experience prepares students to adapt and collaborate with their colleagues when, in future, they will implement their aspirations in their chosen careers.

Counsellors offer their services all through the year to encourage students persevere in their coursework until they finally reach their goals.