Focus on training and education

If there were one aspect which stood out during the celebrations to mark Worker's Day organised by the Nationalist Party that would surely be the enthusiastic participation by youths, especially in the dialogue meeting held at Ricasoli, on the site where the Smartcity@Malta will be developed.

And, quite frankly, this is easily understandable.

Youths are by nature positive, energetic and ambitious. This converges well with the messages of encouragement and trust that were forthcoming throughout all the events organised by the PN.

The SmartCity@Malta project is the realisation and the result of the government's strategy to create quality jobs that render a good return for workers in a sector were our country proves to be very competitive. The presence of youths during these events proves they are looking to their future with hope and trust given the number of new opportunities that are forthcoming.

As president of the Nationalist Party's Youth Movement, I cannot but take note of such exciting developments. It is encouraging for us to see such enthusiasm from youths participating in these events, and this motivates us further.

What gives you greater satisfaction than hearing success stories being spelled out? Successes which will help the economy flourish, that will create jobs and new opportunities. Success breeds further success and the past few days have proved, if proof were needed, that we are on the right track and that harvest time beckons.

Some prophets of doom painted apocalyptic scenarios when the people were asked for short-term burden-sharing in the guise of reforms and restructuring. Incidentally, these are the same people who never missed an opportunity to lay obstacles whenever Malta was at its destiny's crossroads. Independence and EU membership are two examples, but need I mention more?

There are many reasons why investors should engage Maltese workers, and this is confirmed by the employers themselves. Malta's biggest asset is surely its human resources, its workers and its students. The government's policy to invest in people by giving them the tools necessary and the education required proves that the government is on the right track to safeguard their future.

During an intervention by one of the speakers (Ivan Bartolo, managing director 6PM) at a national conference, I was surprised with the success story of a particular company which has grown in a short span of time. The amount of workers required in the IT field is amazing and, therefore, it is vital that youths further their education and make wise career choices.

I reiterate the Prime Minister's appeal for all to focus their efforts on education and training so that the country is not caught unprepared and as a consequence miss out on such opportunities.

The main aim of politics is to safeguard and foster the common good. This is a far cry from the egoistic outlook of what is good for my interests. The government must disseminate the aim of its policies to ensure popular acceptance and participation. Not for itself or for its interests but in everyone's best interests.