Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1500676
THE National Skills Council was set up as an executive body earlier this year. A fundamental part of our remit is the promo- tion of skills which are relevant to today's economic realities, together with the ever-impor- tant 'transversal' skills' such as communication, teamwork and problem-solving. The recent international trend of rediscovering work-based learning is being actively pro- moted by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the In- ternational Labour Organisa- tion (ILO) and the European Commission. It is also a con- cept which the National Skills Council is firmly committed to promote in a bid to foster trans- versal skills in learners by means of different pedagogies, shifting away from purely, school-based learning and moving into a con- textualised business orientated approach. Work-based learn- ing is becoming vital in helping to bridge the gap between edu- cation and employment, shap- ing a future workforce with the necessary employability skills. Apart from that, the transver- sal skills acquired contribute to personal wellbeing, and allow us to fully participate in the society we live in. What is Work-Based Learning? Work-based learning is an instructional model that en- hances classroom learning by connecting it to the workplace. Through this method, class- room and workplace learning are aligned, whilst technical and employability skills are impart- ed to learners in a work setting. Support from classroom and workplace mentors is key to en- riching this experience. Work- based learning can take the form of internships, apprenticeships, or job shadowing experiences, and it may also be undertaken in a simulated work environment such as in workshops or labora- tories set up in vocational edu- cation and training institutions. Maltese students are privileged to have some excellent facilities available to them. Work-based learning helps to address a particular challenge that many jobseekers face. It may sometimes be difficult to get a job without previous work experience, and it's difficult to get work experience without a job! In such education and training programmes, younger individuals and adults alike get the experience employers seek whilst gaining the skills and qualifications that are required by industry, enabling them to succeed in their careers of choice. Benefits to Students and Work- ers Work-based learning is a very effective modality for develop- ing expertise and the kind of skills and competences that are relevant to a particular profes- sion or a specific workplace. It facilitates a hands-on approach and gives the student the chance of 'learning by doing' -practicing and mastering skills in real-life situations, rather than simply through textbooks. Key compe- tencies such as communication, teamwork and customer rela- tions skills, and general compe- tences such as project planning and problem-solving skills, are becoming increasingly more important in today's labour market. This system provides an excellent opportunity for devel- oping such skills through formal and informal interaction with colleagues, management and customers. Individuals acquire a better understanding of the workplace culture. Self-confi- dence, drive and motivation are also imbued. Smoother school- to-work transitions are guar- anteed. What may start as an apprenticeship may eventually become permanent employ- ment. Benefits to Businesses and Em- ployers Employers will be presented with a better choice from a di- verse talent pool. Apprentice- ship experiences may serve as an induction for future employ- ment, shaping future employees' work ethic whilst addressing any skills gaps within an organi- sation. Companies have a vested interest in working with educa- tion and training institutions to design work-based learning pro- grammes, so that they can en- sure that the synergies created between the curriculum and on- the-job activities equip learners with the knowledge, skills and competences needed to be able to contribute as part of a team. Due to continued labour short- ages and competition for the best talent, businesses also stand to gain by the resultant auto- matic reduction in staff turno- ver rates, since job satisfaction is obviously higher in such sit- uations. All of this obviously comes at a price. This includes any wages or allowances paid to learners, expenses related to su- pervision and mentoring, tools and materials, and administra- tion. However, numerous stud- ies show that the returns from apprenticeships significantly outweigh training costs. The cost-benefit ratio is dependent on various factors such as the balance provided between gen- eral versus company-specific training, the duration of train- ing initiatives, and the size of the company or sector. For work-based learning mo- dalities to be successful, it is vi- tal that industry fulfils its role by offering the premises, expertise and resources necessary. Work-Based Learning in Malta This concept is not new to us. There have been many related initiatives in Malta's education- al history. These were common- ly referred to as 'student worker' schemes. They were not always met with approval by those in favour of a more traditional aca- demic approach. The Maltese government is taking a number of initiatives aimed at enhancing the coun- try's apprenticeship system which are primarily aimed at upskilling our workforce. One of the key initiatives that Malta has undertaken is the enactment of the Work-Based Learning and Apprenticeship Act of 2018. This aims at regulating educa- tion providers and sponsors that provide Vocational Education and Training programmes. Fur- thermore, in November 2022, the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority published a Scoping Report with guide- lines for quality assurance for courses that include a Work- Based Learning component. Work on the drafting of these Guidelines is ongoing and they are expected to be published lat- er this year. These measures will help us attain the high standards needed to ensure quality and in- clusive apprenticeship schemes, thus facilitating the concept of 'parity of esteem' between voca- tional and academic education. As the job market contin- ues to evolve and the demand for skilled workers grows, it is crucial that countries invest in apprenticeship programs that ensure that their workforce is equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary for us to succeed. Such programmes can only be successful if there is structured collaboration be- tween government, industry, and education providers. The National Skills Council is com- mitted to bringing the educa- tional and employment sectors together to ensure that our citizens acquire the skills rele- vant to an increasingly dynamic economy and society. 12 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 4 JUNE 2023 OPINION Work-based learning: Adding relevance to the educational experience OPINION Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando is the executive chairman of the National Skills Council