Youth Employment Strategy

"The government's target is to encourage more young people to pursue lifelong education and integrate in the world of work with the necessary skills. By doing so, we are creating a sustainable economy and social policy," said Minister John Dalli at the launch of ETC's Youth Employment Strategy.

The strategy is aimed at young people, aged between 16 and 25, who are not in post-secondary or tertiary education. The document gives an overview of key policy documents, labour market trends, and initiatives the corporation has taken in recent years together with major outputs and future plans.

The ETC believes strongly in the contribution of young people to economy and society. Employment gives them the opportunity to become responsible and productive citizens. The corporation, which provides a wide range of services for young people in all walks of life, pays special attention to those who may need additional assistance, such as the unemployed, the under-employed and discouraged young people who might have lost hope to find employment.

The employment rate of young people in Malta is relatively high. A Labour Force Survey for July-September 2007 shows that the figure stands at 48.5 per cent, with similar rates for men (48.8 per cent) and women (48.1 per cent).

This reflects a rise of almost three per cent over the previous year, when the employment rate stood at 45.8 per cent. The largest gains were among young women, whose employment rate rose by over four per cent.

A range of schemes and services developed over the years place young people at the centre of all activities. The corporation offers professional services in career guidance and personal action planning, and profiling. It also offers several job search facilities and information on living and working in Europe.

The ETC offers a number of employment schemes for youth, namely the Job Experience and Active Youth schemes, which facilitate the school-to-work transition of young people and provide them with a work placement for a number of weeks. A financial allowance is also given. Increasing young people's employability through training is high on the ETC's agenda.

It offers various courses in academic subjects, trade, technical, mechanical and IT. Apprenticeships and traineeships offer young persons the opportunity to acquire practical work experience while still studying at MCAST or ITS.

The corporation is sensitive towards the particular needs of youth in disadvantaged situations.

Several training programmes, schemes and initiatives have been introduced for illiterate or low skilled persons, persons with disability, former substance abusers, former inmates at a correctional facility, those living in institutional care, and single parents.

There are plans to continue developing employment and training schemes and services to prepare young people for employment. The Youth Employment Strategy includes new initiatives for better employability and labour market integration. The strategy seeks to make the best and maximum use of EU funds available to Malta.

Also present at the launch were ETC chairman Michael Balzan and CEO Sue Vella.