Catalysing industry and education synergies for skill development – the executive role of the National Skills Council in Malta

Skills are essential for Malta’s economic and social ambitions. In response to skills imbalances across the Union, the European Year of Skills was put forward to promote a mindset of upskilling and reskilling to ensure the EU’s long-term sustainable growth. Malta’s skills imbalances result from its robust economic growth. Labour shortages persist, leading to a tight labour market with record low unemployment rates.  

Since its outset, the National Skills Council (NSC) has recognised the importance of fostering structured dialogue between stakeholders for mutual learning. The NSC proactively sought engagement with stakeholders to actively listen to their perceived challenges, untapped opportunities, potential synergies, and collaboration prospects. These dialogues are structured, using a mutual learning bazaar approach. This approach is expected to lead to tangible outcomes, such as input for labour market intelligence tools and the definition of national occupational standards and competency frameworks.   

Common themes have emerged from the dialogues already held. These include: 

• The need to instil transversal skills in learners; 

• Further investment in upskilling, not only financially but by improving access; 

• Need for advancing green and digital skills;  

• Strengthening the validation of informal and non-formal learning, potentially through a skills card framework recognising experience in unregulated professions;  

• Recognising the crucial role of HR professionals in developing learning strategies at the workplace. 

The NSC organised a flagship event for the European Year of Skills, titled Skillscape Malta: towards tomorrow’s skills.  The conference brought together more than 300 attendees from different sectors to discuss the future of work and the future of education. Two international keynote speakers, Dr. Susskind from King’s College London and Mr. O’Muineachain from LinkedIn introduced the topics, which were followed by panel discussions with the participation of local experts, leading to interactive break-out sessions engaging the audience. To conclude the event, 15 skills success stories were pitched, followed by a synthesis of the discussions condensed into six recommendations, on which the NSC will delve deeper.  

Fully aware of the challenges ahead, the NSC will be adopting a whole-of-government approach and even wider engagement beyond government. With this spirit, the NSC shall develop the first National Skills Strategy, in the context of the increasingly dynamic world of work driven by the green and digital twin transitions. 

Left unaddressed, skills imbalances can pose significant constraints on Malta and Europe’s ambitions to strengthen productivity and foster innovation and dynamism within its economy. Together with local and European actors, the NSC remains committed to its vision.