The National Skills Council has been recently established as an executive body by means of Subsidiary Legislation 605.10 of the Laws of Malta.
Rationale
The Council’s primary objective is to use
evidence-based practices to understand and anticipate current and future skills within the labour work force, whilst instigating policy
changes to this effect. Malta is already facing skill gaps and mismatches, often addressed in the short-term through the
importation of foreign workers. This imbalance will exacerbate further
due to the ever-changing labour market. Labour market transformations present
uncertainty, risks and opportunities locally and worldwide. Investing in human capital development is therefore essential to ensure resilience and competitiveness.
This decade is expected to
bring about even bigger changes that will have a lasting effect on the world of
work. The key drivers include the fast-technological advancement, the
demographics in our country and beyond, and undoubtely climate change. The European Union recognised these common
challenges, and established 2023 as the official European Year of Skills. The
National Skills Council has an instrumental role in ensuring that Malta is
better-prepared to face new labour market realities with capabilities to
contribute to economic and social development.
Strategic Intent
Vision
To foster a
culture of lifelong learning for all, enabling people to reach their full
potential in a dynamic world of work.
Mission
To spearhead an
evidence-based skills agenda focused on employability, social inclusion and
wellbeing.
Guiding Principles
1. Evidence-based decision making: stimulating an
analytical approach and the identification of indicators and measures with
scientific rigour.
2. Ethical development of people: strengthening the
link between industry and education/training based on sound ethical principles
where the dignity of individuals is always protected.
3. Inclusivity and Diversity: ensuring no selection of
the population is excluded, and embracing a diverse workforce.
4. Shared responsibility: nurturing an ecosystem in
which skills development becomes the shared responsibility of government,
employers and individual workers, with social partners playing a critical role
Priority Areas for Action
- Spearheading strategic direction
- Anticipating industry needs
- Nurturing life-wide and life-long learning
- Investing in Vocational Education and
Training
Goals
· Skills Advisory: advising
government on priority skills needs, the direction of skills development in
line with emerging global trends, and the opportunities and challenges for
learning and work
·
Skills Strategy & Policy: steering
Malta’s national skills strategy and establishing policy and procedures for
standards, curriculum and quality assurance
·
Skills Panorama: overseeing
research, benchmarking and reporting performance, and developing intelligence,
·
Skills Development: Promoting required mechanisms
for the advancement of skills and minimising the skills gap
· Skills Networking: creating
the right channels for different stakeholders to connect and collaborate to
effectively respond to present and future skill demands.
The National Skills Council brings together:
· Representative
from the University of Malta;
· Representative
from the Malta College for Arts, Science and Technology;
· Representative
from the Jobsplus Corporation;
· Representative
from the Institute for Tourism Studies;
· Representative
from the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry;
· Representative
from the Malta Enterprise;
· Representative
of civil society;
· Representative
from amongst life-long
learning specialists;
· Permanent
Secretary of the Ministry for Education;
· Other four persons who possess leadership
qualities, and have an understanding of education and the labour market within
the context of an open, democratic, fair, prosperous and inclusive society.
Contact us
Address:
Le Marchant House,
Alamein Road,
Pembroke, Malta
PBK 1773
Email: info.nsc@gov.mt
Phone: +35677103890