Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1537190
4 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 4 JULY 2025 NEWS GOZITAN students aged between 16 and 20 will have the opportunity to gain real-world work experience through the Work Trial Scheme for Youths, officially launched by Ministry for Gozo. The scheme will run over the summer months of 2025 and aims to equip young people with practical skills while helping them make more informed career choic- es. Specifically targeting Gozitan youth, the scheme allows participants to work with private companies and non-gov- ernmental organisations (NGOs) in Gozo. In doing so, it provides a safe and supportive environment where young people can explore their potential and build confidence in a professional set- ting. "We firmly believe in the capabilities of Gozitan youth and what they can achieve," Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri said. "Through this scheme, we want to offer young people their first job experi- ence in a safe environment where they can discover their potential, learn, and strengthen their skills. It is initiatives like this that help lay the foundations for a brighter future for the next gener- ation. I encourage all eligible youths to take full advantage of this opportunity." The Work Trial Scheme was first intro- duced seven years ago and has continued to evolve thanks to feedback from both participants and host organisations. Participants in the scheme will receive a weekly stipend of €115 for up to five weeks, with a maximum total of €575. The scheme will run from Monday, August 4 to Friday, September 5, 2025. Applications can be submitted online between Monday, June 30 and Friday, July 4 at noon via the official Gozo Min- istry website: www.gozo.gov.mt. Gozitan youths offered paid summer work experience through new government scheme The Ministry for Gozo and Planning has launched the 2025 edition of the Work Trial Scheme for Youths The scheme will run over the summer months of 2025 and aims to equip young people with practical skills while helping them make more informed career choices. TEN beaches in Malta and three in Gozo received the 2025 Blue Flag Certificate, a prestig- ious eco-label confirming their world-class standards in beach management, environmental ed- ucation, safety, water quality and related services. Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg, Nature Trust – FEE Mal- ta President Vincent Attard and Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) Chief Executive Officer Carlo Micallef announced the recipients of this eco-label, at Golden Bay, this week. This internationally recog- nised certification, awarded by the Foundation for Environ- mental Education (FEE), is lo- cally implemented by Nature Trust – FEE Malta. To qualify for the Blue Flag, each beach must meet and maintain over 30 strict environ- mental, educational, safety, and accessibility criteria. The 13 beaches awarded this year are: • Mellieħa Bay, Mellieħa • Golden Bay, Mellieħa • Paradise Bay Resort Hotel beach, Mellieħa (private- ly-run beach) • Għajn Tuffieħa, Mġarr • Ħondoq Bay, Qala • Fond Għadir, Sliema • Fajtata Bay, Sliema • St George's Bay, St Ju- lian's • The Westin Dragonara Resort beach, St Julian's (privately-run beach) • Buġibba Perched Beach, St Paul's Bay • Qawra Point, St Paul's Bay • Ramla Bay, Xagħra • Marsalforn, Żebbuġ, Gozo In addition, Xwejni Bay, in Żebbuġ, Gozo, was recognised as a Beach of Quality, confirm- ing that it has achieved most of the applicable criteria and is close to attaining the Blue Flag status as well. Except for the two private- ly-run hotel beaches, all Blue Flag coastal sites in Malta and Gozo are managed by the MTA and the Ministry for Gozo and Planning respectively. 13 beaches receive Blue Flag eco-label Three beaches in Gozo, Ħondoq Bay, Ramla Bay, and Marsalforn, have been awarded the 2025 Blue Flag for meeting high environmental and safety standards This internationally recognised certification, awarded by the Foundation for Environmental Education