ETC to extend financial help to enterprises

The Employment and Training Corporation (ETC) plans to launch a training aid framework that will extend the financial assistance already being given to a larger number of enterprises.

The announcement was made during a seminar for Gozitan businessmen organised by the Gozo Business Chamber (GBC) in collaboration with the ETC at the Arka Hall in Għajnsielem.

The seminar gave businessmen the opportunity to learn more about schemes and services offered by ETC; they were given details regarding this new scheme by Joseph Cutajar, senior manager of the ETC's Training Services Division.

Mr Cutajar said the framework is intended to promote access to training of persons actively participating in the labour market, increase and/or improve employees' skills, and enable undertakings to become more competitive through the adaptation of skills and knowledge.

This seven-year programme has a budget of €13 million and will be partially financed under the European Union's Structural Funds Programme for Malta.

Other ETC officials explained in detail the schemes and services offered by the corporation in its primary task of meeting the demands of the local labour market through increased outreach with employers and skill development of job-seekers.

Raphael Scerri, senior manager at the ETC's employment services division, gave an overview of ETC services and five schemes currently available. Services at ETC offices in Malta and Gozo include vacancy profiling, job brokerage, job centre facilities, Website facilities, and the EURES Malta team that advises employers and job-seekers on recruitment and employment possibilities in Europe.

Mr Scerri focused on the five employment schemes covering Job Experience, Work Start, Private Sector Placement, Bridging the Gap and Gozo Employment, all intended to help job-seekers find employment.

The Gozo Employment Aid Scheme was specifically designed to encourage job creation in Gozo, especially for the underprivileged or those with special needs.

Through this scheme, Gozitan employers, who employ and train exisiting or new employees, become eligible for training grants.

Since this scheme was launched by ETC and Malta Enterprise as a Budget measure in 2007, 26 Gozitan enterprises have employed 89 people. Under this scheme, employers will receive relative subsidies amounting to about €420,000, representing half the wage costs for the first 12 months of employment, going up to 60 per cent of wage costs, excluding National Insurance contributions, in the case of persons with disability.

Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono, who also addressed the seminar, praised the initiative taken by the GBC and ETC as well as the interest shown by all participants.

Ms Debono commented on the fruitful co-operation which has developed between the ministry and the chamber since it was set up. In fact, the Gozo Employment Aid Scheme was launched after discussions with GBC representatives.

The minister urged all Gozitan entrepreneurs to avail themselves of the opportunities being presented and to use ETC's services in Gozo for the benefit of their enterprises as well as that of those seeking employment or wanting to change their jobs. This will eventually benefit the island's economy, she said.

The ETC has a fully operational branch in Xewkija as well as a job centre within the Gozo Ministry's offices in Victoria.

Refurbishment works were recently carried out at the job centre.

During the last financial year (ending in September 2007) 804 Gozitans availed themselves of ETC training programmes in Gozo. Course subjects ranged from office skills, IT-related subjects, hospitality and care, and health and safety to basic skills.