Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1354201
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 21 MARCH 2021 13 COMMERCIAL Learning Works launches 'Women in Leadership' programme on International Women's Day LEARNING Works, Vassal- lo Group's Education Arm launched a 'Women in Lead- ership' programme on Inter- national Women's Day at the Learning Works Training Hub, The Landmark in Qormi. Vassallo Group's long stand- ing tradition to celebrate wom- en's day by hosting a lunch event for over a 100 women was not possible this year due to the pandemic, however the launch of this programme was a great way to celebrate wom- en. Vassallo Group Chairman Nazzareno Vassallo, Vassallo Group CEO Pio Vassallo and CareMalta CEO Natalie Brif- fa Farrugia who are all on the Board of Directors of Learning Works were present for this launch. Claire Agius Ordway led the way acting as a compere for this event by introducing guest speakers who delivered their message through video confer- encing to the 20 participants who joined this course. Ms Sandra Hermitage, an expert in Management and Coaching will be the lecturer for this course. Due to a lock- down in the UK she could not be present therefore she spoke to the participants through a video message and later held the first online lecture live from the UK, delivering a very interesting interactive session. The session also included video messages by two women who are currently occupying very important positions with- in the EU. Dr Helena Dalli, Europe- an commissioner for Equality spoke about the aim for reach- ing a gender equal Europe, quoting 'Achieving gender balance in leadership is one of the main goals of our Gender Equality Strategy for 2020- 2025'. She spoke about the efforts being made for 'women to thrive and lead in all levels of our economies and society' as well as reduce the gender pay gap. In light of this topic she also mentioned a proposal she presented for a new EU Direc- tive on Pay Transparency with the aim of detecting gender pay discrimination and claim their right for equal pay. Dr Roberta Metsola MEP, First Vice President of the Eu- ropean Parliament started off by congratulating all the par- ticipants who made a decision to attend this course. She stat- ed that for an individual to be successful and implement ideas it does not depend on the gen- der but only depends on their capabilities which we should work on developing further. She extended an invitation to all, to get in touch with any ideas which can be discussed and congratulated everyone once again, encouraging all to become leaders with a clear vi- sion, supporting change. Natalie Briffa Farrugia's be- lieves we should keep chal- lenges alive and pointed out that after every crisis there are new opportunities to keep de- veloping and changing. She mentioned that Vassallo Group who happens to be celebrating its 75th Anniversary this year started its journey back then post WW2 clearing the roads from debris and building a bet- ter future to 2021 following the crisis following the pandemic where the company is contrib- uting to society by investing in individuals who will be able to offer our country and beyond a better tomorrow. At the end of the sessions Charlo Bonnici, CEO of Learn- ing Works thanked Vassallo Group who true to its belief in people development decided to sponsor a number of its female employees encouraging them to participate. They joined a number of other companies coming from different spheres of life. Mr Bonnici announced a number of new services that are being made available to students including an im- proved library service as well as new VLE (Virtual Learning Environment) to cater for the present and future need of this growing education institution. Those interested in applying for the Autumn intake can get in touch on 79584200 to book a place. Frank Salt Real Estate holds its first- ever virtual AGM FRANK Salt Real Estate's much awaited Annual General Meet- ing took place earlier this week, but in an all new format, which allowed for all participants and stake holders to participate whilst respecting the current social distancing measures that the pandemic has brought about. Held virtually via Zoom, the annual conference brought to- gether just under 200 company employees, managers and di- rectors who joined from their respective offices and homes, all eagerly awaiting to find out how the company performed in 2020 and who took home the much-coveted top achievers' awards. The event kicked off with company director Darren De Domenico thanking all the team for their hard work and dedication during a very diffi- cult year. A detailed presentation re- garding the company's perfor- mance followed by objectives for the year was presented. Government incentives for first time buyers and second times buyers, as well as the company's marketing efforts to attract these buyers also result- ed in renewed interest and an increase in sales. A highly motivational speech by company director Grahame Salt ensued. "We have to learn to adapt to new challenges and turn these into opportunities. Stress levels last year were all over the place, but together as a team, we pulled through. We need to keep looking forward and once travel opens up again, it will definitely result in a boost to our business. We can't just wait for that to happen, but we have to prepare ourselves from now". The company continued en- hancing its already strong pres- ence on social media platforms and also recorded an increase in website traffic. Albeit a con- siderable decline in foreign interest in buying or renting property in Malta, page views increasing by over 50%. Towards the end of the evening, Frank Salt Real Estate also launched a new internal campaign promoting the phys- ical and mental well-being of its team members. The AGM concluded with the yearly presentation of awards to the highest achievers in sales and letting, as well as to other members of staff who deserved recognition. Amongst other winners, the Mellieha Branch was awarded as best branch for 2020, Ritan Grima from the Balzan branch took home the Best Sales Con- sultant Award, whilst the Best Letting Consultant Award was bestowed conferred to James Paris from the Sliema Letting branch.