Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/244624
23 Opinion maltatoday, SUNDAY, 19 JANUARY 2014 skills. I have already expressed, on a number of occasions, that the country cannot afford to have around 6,000 youths aged between 16 and 24 who are neither studying, training for work nor even seeking employment. This is why the Youth Guarantee is of paramount importance. Coupled with this vocational training is the qualification framework. The European Qualification Framework (EQF) aims to make qualifications readily understandable to employers across the different European states. It will facilitate the free movement of all those acquiring the skills necessary for employability and address the importance of transparency. We aim to provide young people with meaningful employment, through country-specific recommendations on the skills required for the current as well as the future job market. Cognitive skills of the population, rather than solely academic achievements, are strongly related to economic growth. Our human resources have always been one of our greatest assets and we can ensure that this is even further improved, by encouraging our youngsters through a better all-round education. The role of education in promoting economic growth is evident. Evarist Bartolo is Minister for Education CHECK OUT EVARIST BARTOLO'S LATEST COLUMNS ON http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/blogs it too Statistical data shows that we have an increase in employment coupled with an increase in unemployment PHOTOGRAPHY BY RAY ATTARD It is not the major political parties that are to blame for the sorry state of affairs, but the electorate laurels. But this time it overdid it. More fiscal prudence and a few less promises here and there would have given them a smaller majority but, paradoxically, an easier time governing. Minister Farrugia appears to have been caught completely off-guard by the terrible state of our health service – however the fact is that both parties were totally aware of the problems plaguing our general hospital. The disorganised state of the primary health system, which is dumping everyone into the hospital service, the inefficiencies within Mater Dei and the elderly care problem which is slowing it down on the other end, are the root of it all. The solutions are easy. A few millions to integrate electronically all private GPs to the government health care system with online notes and e-prescribing. Another few millions to get rid of the paper files at Mater Dei, making everything more efficient and data available at the touch of a button. A couple of millions to make services for the elderly widely available within the community and a few more residential homes for the elderly. Finding the millions is the real issue. That ball is not in Godfrey Farrugia's court, but in Castille's. Increasing (or at least keeping the same) income tax rates, increasing energy bills, or adding new taxes or fees are out of the question. So what is the other option? Selling citizenship! The "citizenship for cash" scheme is all about money. Nothing else. The furore it caused, both in Malta and beyond, was expected and comprehensible (albeit in some cases rather hypocritical, given the fact that countries such as Austria and Cyprus have schemes very similar to our own, with no residency requirement). However, people must decide, they cannot just complain without giving alternatives. I would be happier if the government reforms the student stipend system, introduces health care co-payments and leaves income tax brackets at the previous levels. But election after election have shown that I am clearly part of a small minority. If the majority don't want to pay more taxes, don't want a reduction in social benefits, and want education and healthcare completely free, then what option do we have? CHECK OUT CLAUDINE CASSAR'S LATEST COLUMNS ON http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/blogs