Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/337883
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 29 JUNE 2014 Opinion 22 Evarist Bartolo T he country specific recommendations for Malta, published at the end of last year by the EU Commission in its 2020 document, include "devising an early school-leaving strategy, improving the links with education and training and encouraging female employment as measures to boost the labour market in Malta." We have done just that and the results achieved so far clearly show that we are on the right track. Malta has registered an increase in employment, although not enough to meet the current labour supply. Over the years various international reports have described Malta's employment market as lacking rates of female participation as high as other countries. However, in the past few years the Maltese employment ratio for the 20-64 age cohort has seen a surge, and this was mainly driven by a higher rate of female participation. This surge needs to continue, which is why the government has taken a number of initiatives. The introduction of free childcare centres, which the European Commission has applauded for its widening reach in a report issued in the past days, has allowed middle-class parents, and mothers in particular, the option to return to employment or continue their studies. The option of having free childcare if you take a course at University, MCAST, ETC or through a qualified institution is because we value the importance of skills. Trying to find a job without possessing the right skill-set is counter-productive, which is also why as a government we're stressing the importance of continuing in education or training after the age of 16. Childcare centres are just the tip of the iceberg; the role of youths is garnering even greater importance because economies are basing themselves on IT, innovation and creativity, and youths are renowned for all three. As the number of those continuing non-compulsory education strengthens, we must make sure we provide the right training for the skills needed. Adaptation is important in today's labour market – if we prepare our youths to adapt to new ideas, technologies and concepts we are gearing them up to deal with the realities of the workplace. Education and training provide a framework for industry and work, however there is always a need to adapt to new trends in light of continuously changing technologies. We are helping people through initiatives such as the Work Trial Scheme which offers a short period of work experience for individuals who have not been in employment for a long time. The Job Practice scheme, on the other hand, offers practical experience for students to boost their skills portfolio. Through initiatives such as the Employability Index, students with a high risk of experiencing unemployment due to job mismatching will be identified at an earlier stage to provide them with the necessary help. The National Employment Policy, released in recent weeks, also stresses the importance of participation by persons with disability. The policy includes measures such as co-operatives, supported employment and sheltered employment, among others, to provide a suitable environment where persons with a disability can make their contribution to the economy the same as anyone else. Compared to some of our European neighbours, our standing in employment figures is quite good. However resting on our laurels will lead to complacency and we must not allow this. Through the National Employment Policy, we know most of the reasons why those currently unemployed cannot find work, however implementing those measures is the next important step. We owe it to society, we owe it to the taxpayers and we owe it to those looking for work to provide the right environment for them to succeed in their working life as well. Evarist Bartolo is Minister of Education and Employment Adaptation is important in today's labour market – if we prepare our youths to adapt to new ideas, technologies and concepts we are gearing them up to deal with the realities of the workplace The right path to success