Malta’s New Skills Strategy: Learning at Work
Upskilling Malta: New Skills Strategy Puts Learning at Work’s Heart
Imagine this: you’re walking down Republic Street, Malta’s bustling commercial hub, and you notice something different. Shopkeepers, office workers, even the barista at your favorite café, are all engaged in quiet conversations, not about the latest gossip, but about the latest courses they’re taking. This isn’t a scene from a futuristic film, but a glimpse into Malta’s new skills strategy, which aims to make learning a part of everyone’s workday.
A Blueprint for Lifelong Learning
The Malta Council for Economic and Labour Relations (MCER) has rolled out an ambitious new skills strategy, focusing on training at work and lifelong learning. This isn’t just about adding a few workshops to the calendar; it’s about embedding learning into the very fabric of Maltese work culture. The strategy, launched earlier this year, is a roadmap to 2026, with clear milestones and targets.
“We’re moving away from the traditional ‘once in a lifetime’ training approach,” explains Dr. Alexia Pace, MCER’s Director. “Our goal is to create a culture where learning is continuous, relevant, and enjoyable.”
Learning on the Job: A Win-Win
At the heart of this strategy is ‘training at work’. This isn’t just about sending employees for courses; it’s about integrating learning into their daily tasks. Whether it’s a retail assistant learning digital marketing skills to boost sales, or an office worker improving their IT skills to streamline processes, the focus is on practical, job-relevant learning.
Local businesses are already jumping on board. “We’ve seen a significant increase in productivity and job satisfaction since we started integrating training into our employees’ daily tasks,” says Mark Xuereb, CEO of leading Maltese e-commerce platform, Mallia. “It’s a win-win; our employees are more skilled, and our business is more efficient.”
Lifelong Learning: Not Just a Buzzword
But the strategy isn’t just about immediate gains. It’s also about fostering a culture of lifelong learning. This means encouraging employees to keep learning, even as their roles and the workplace evolve. It means valuing learning for its own sake, not just for its immediate benefits.
To make this a reality, the strategy includes initiatives like ‘Learning Accounts’, which give employees a personal budget for training, and ‘Skills Passports’, which help them track and plan their learning journey.
“We want learning to be a personal journey, not just a workplace requirement,” says Dr. Pace. “We want Maltese workers to see learning as a lifelong adventure, not a chore.”
