Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1540988
7 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 2 NOVEMBER 2025 COMMERCIAL Bank Of Valletta hosting the first investor days in Malta and Gozo BANK of Valletta will be hosting the first-ever Investor Days on the 3rd and 4th November in Gozo and Malta, respectively. These events provide shareholders, cus- tomers, and members of the fi- nancial community with a direct platform to engage with BOV's leadership team on its strategic direction, performance, and fu- ture outlook of the Bank. The sessions will include pres- entations by the Bank's leadership team, including BOV Chairper- son, Dr Gordon Cordina, CEO Kenneth Farrugia, and Chief Fi- nancial Officer, Kevin Cardona. In addition, several of the Bank's Executive Committee will partic- ipate in a panel discussion, cover- ing performance highlights, digi- tal transformation advancements, customer service initiatives, and progress across sustainability and governance commitments. Speaking ahead of the events, Dr Gordon Cordina highlight- ed the importance of dialogue in driving trust and long-term value. "Investor Days reflect our ongoing commitment to accountability and direct engagement with our stakeholders. These exchanges are essential to ensuring align- ment between the Bank's strategic trajectory and the expectations of those who place their confidence in us," Dr Cordina said. Kenneth Farrugia emphasised how the Investor Days reinforce the Bank's forward-looking agen- da. "This is a pivotal moment to share the progress we are making as we invest in our people, tech- nology, and operations to shape a more modern, customer-centric Bank. We look forward to engag- ing with our investor community as we continue to deliver on our strategic priorities," Mr Farrugia said. Kevin Cardona noted the im- portance of transparency in com- municating financial performance and strategy. "These discussions provide clarity and context to our results, ensuring our stakeholders understand the key drivers be- hind our performance and how we are positioned for sustainable growth," Mr Cardona comment- ed. The Malta session on 4th No- vember will be live-streamed at 1700 hours. Participants may reg- ister their interest in participating by clicking on this link https://bov. jotform.com/253003711853045 These Investor Days mark the first in a planned series of ongo- ing engagements between the Bank and its investor communi- ty. The Bank remains committed to maintaining open, transparent communication channels, and ensuring that shareholders and stakeholders alike are kept in- formed about the Bank's progress, priorities, and performance. The Bank looks forward to continue this dialogue in the months and years ahead. Industry micro-placements: A hands- on approach to VET teacher training "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela ONE of the functions of the National Skills Council is to ensure that our edu- cation and training systems are aligned with the realities of the labour market, thereby enabling individuals and the na- tion to thrive. However, the government, through its education structures, cannot do it alone. This is a shared responsibili- ty. Industry is at the forefront of change; it often anticipates change and, there- fore, it is imperative that industry works closely with education in the co-creation of curricula to ensure alignment whilst reducing skills disconnect. The National Skills Council is there to bridge educa- tion and industry. Vocational Education and Training (VET) plays a central role in this endeav- our. Across Europe, VET is being recog- nised not merely as a secondary pathway, but as a strategic pillar for competitive- ness, social inclusion, and sustainability. The European Commission, through in- itiatives such as the Osnabrück Decla- ration and the Copenhagen Process, has consistently placed VET at the heart of its vision for a European Education Area. More recently, the Herning Declaration (2025) reaffirmed this commitment, stat- ing unequivocally that "VET is not a sec- ond choice, but a first opportunity." In Malta, the National Skills Council works closely with the Directorate for STEM and VET Programmes (DSVP), in collaboration with the Directorate for Quality and Standards in Education (DQSE), both within the Ministry for Ed- ucation, Sport, Youth, Research and In- novation to ensure that VET is embedded as a respected and rewarding route within our education system. It is our collective objective to expand access to vocational pathways, create flexible and progressive routes for learners, and ensure that the qualifications offered are relevant to in- dustry needs. These efforts are not only about education, but also about providing individuals with meaningful opportuni- ties to pursue careers in sectors that drive Malta's future prosperity. The National Skill Council has launched an important initiative, 'Bridge with In- dustry', whereby industry micro-place- ments are offered for educators in sec- ondary schools for applied vocational subjects. Through this pilot project, which started off on the 1st of October 2025, the National Skills Council is inviting Maltese enterprises to host micro-placements for educators who deliver applied VET sub- jects in secondary schools to build capac- ity. The aim is to expose educators to real workplace environments across a wide range of sectors which include health and social care, agribusiness, hospitality, engi- neering, information technology, fashion and textiles, retail, creative media, and hairdressing and beauty. By engaging in such placements, educa- tors gain first-hand insights into industry practices, emerging technologies, and workforce requirements. This knowledge will then be transferred directly into their teaching, ensuring that VET curricula re- main current and aligned with modern economic needs. The benefits of this initiative extend well beyond the classroom. Employers who participate not only contribute to shaping the next generation of skilled workers, but also strengthen their own recruit- ment pipelines, reduce future skills gaps, and position themselves as leaders within their industries. This collaboration is a powerful example of how education and industry can work, or better still, should work hand in hand to prepare Malta for the future. The Expression of Interest (EOI) for this initiative is open until 30 November 2025, and eligible companies, partnerships, and cooperatives are warmly encouraged to apply. Submissions can be made through the National Skills Council's website at nscmalta.gov.mt. In reality, VET is not only indispensable to Malta's development but offers val- ue-added career paths to learners. It em- powers learners with employable skills, strengthens our economy, and builds a workforce capable of adapting to new challenges. Research by the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP) indicates that nearly half of future job opportunities in the European Union will require vocational qualifica- tions. In Malta's context, the employment rate for VET graduates aged 20–34 (Interna- tional Standard Classification of Educa- tion or ISCED levels 3–4) was recorded at 93.6%, substantially above the EU average of 78.1%. Moreover, VET graduates in Malta enjoy an employability rate that is 6.3% higher than graduates from general education at the same level. These figures illustrate how powerful VET can be in creating direct labour market pathways. These positive trends confirm that policy efforts, investment, and reform in vocational education at secondary level schooling and beyond are pivotal. Maintaining this momentum through initiatives such as 'Bridge with Indus- try' whereby we invest further in teacher training through close collaboration with industry will ensure that our skills ecosys- tem will continue to thrive. Written by: Kenneth Mallia, Manager (Technical projects) National Skills Council NOW OPEN www.reallygreatsite.com www.nscmalta.gov.mt A pilot project connecting educators of applied vocational subjects with businesses through industry micro-placements, ensuring vocational education reflects real-world skills. CALL FOR APPLICATIONS