Gozo-based ICT company to offer Google training in the US
Noovle, a Google Cloud Premium Partner, is also planning to devise courses with MCAST to train Gozitan students in the blockchain and AI sector
by Massimo Costa
Noovle, an ICT and cloud consultancy services company which has established a base in Gozo, is planning on offering scholarships for local students to obtain training with Google in the United States.
The Italian company is the first tenant at the new Gozo Innovation Hub in Xewkija, and is set to be fully operational on the island later in the year.
The company, which was founded in 2013, is one of Google Cloud’s 50 Premium Partners, and its operations in Gozo will include a focus on R&D solutions, blockchain and Artificial Intelligence applications.
A spokesperson for the Gozo ministry said that Noovle’s operations are very much in line with the government’s drive for increased investment in the blockchain and AI sector on the Maltese islands, highlighting that both the Gozo ministry and Malta Enterprise had worked towards bringing the company to Gozitan shores.
“Gozo Minister Justine Caruana’s work in the negotiation process was crucial when it came to bringing Noovle to the Xewkija innovation hub,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson underscored that one of the challenges encountered by the company is that there isn’t a sufficient human resource knowledge base of locals trained to work in the services it provides.
In light of this, Noovle is in discussions with MCAST to start offering courses which will train local students in areas related to the sector, with a view towards subsequently offering them employment opportunities.
“Initially Noovle will bring in their own staff, but they are in talks with MCAST to train local students, aiming to eventually employ Gozitans,” the spokesperson noted.
“In addition, the company - which is Google certified - is also in discussions to offer students scholarship programmes for training with Google in the United States.”
Noovle – which also has operations in France, Slovakia, Switzerland and the United Kingdom – helps its clients to move their business in the direction of a Digital Enterprise Model.
Its network and portfolio of clients is impressive and comprises various big firms across Italy, such as Barilla, Ferrero, the Sapienza University of Rome, Sky, Eni, Fiat and many others.
Noovle is one of Google’s collaborators, also developing products for the internet giant’s clients, with the spokesperson saying that it has a number of interesting pilot projects in mind for Gozo.
The Noovle Gozo project carries an investment of €650,000 and the company aims to employ 35 people within three years of starting its business in Gozo.
Noovle’s strategy for its Gozo operations is twofold: namely the setting up of a technical team that will be certified by Google through specific Resource Training, followed by the establishment of the centre focusing on R&D and blockchain development.
The spokesperson added that the Gozo ministry is also in negotiations with two other ICT companies, with a view towards turning the Gozo Innovation Hub, which is being developed by Malta Enterprise and Malta Industrial Parks on the site of the former Malta Dairy Products plant, into a location attracting investment from companies specialising in AI and machine-learning technology, amongst other areas.
