The chance to succeed in life

Over the years, Malta’s economy has evolved and diversified to re-flect our stage of development. This development has been complemented by changes made to our educational system, which included the strengthening of the University and the setting up of the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology and other institutions. These educational institutions are providing the country with skilled resources required across some sectors of the economy and their positive contribution should be lauded.

However, there is a large segment of the population who are not pursuing further studies once they reach the age of 16. This segment represents 36 per cent of young people as compared to the European average of 14 per cent. Moreover, a significant portion of our young people are leaving school without basic skills such as literacy and a command of elementary mathematics.

These young people are struggling to find jobs and many are constrained to enter the employment labour market in segments where salaries are very low and, in some instances, below the minimum wage. In addition, these jobs do not offer them the stability required to form a family and move on in life.

It is unfortunate that from an early stage many of these youths are seeking support from the government, which may lead to a lifetime dependency on social benefits and limited social mobility. This is certainly not desirable and no one in 2012 should be left behind without an opportunity to progress in life.

I have had numerous discussions with employers and investors who contend that the labour market here is not providing them with the required skills and competences. Many employers argue that since trade schools were closed down many young people who do not have an academic orientation are being left behind. In this space there is clearly a gap in preparing young people to enter the labour market and this needs to be addressed in some shape or form.

Having heard these arguments my view is that all social partners and political parties should engage in a structured dialogue to address these challenges. I feel that there is need to address both the short-term and longer-term challenges of youths who leave the educational system without the required basic skills.

Those leaving the education system at a young age cannot wait for years until the required improvements in primary and secondary education start to reap the desired results.

In this respect, many industry stakeholders have welcomed the proposal made by the Labour Party to offer a guarantee to young people of either education, training or work, which would complement Malta’s existing post-16 and tertiary education initiatives.

I would like to see the creation of a national alliance for job creation formed by employers, unions and the government. Such alliance could address the skills requirements of various sectors and provide an opportunity for the 37 per cent of young people who are leaving school early to pursue alternative training and an employment scheme.

I believe that we should formulate various schemes for different industries and economic sectors in collaboration with representatives of such industries. These schemes should provide training in basic skills required for employment and also offer an opportunity for hands-on training with employers.

We should explore the idea of establishing a large-scale apprenticeship system that would provide an opportunity for those 37 per cent of young people who are not pursuing further studies. We all know the successes that such schemes have had in countries like Germany and in Northern Europe.

For this to happen, the government must commit the necessary resources to such a national programme. This needs to take the form of incentives offered to both employers and students. The country must invest in these youths in the same way that we invest in students who pursue their studies at the University or Mcast.

I believe that such a policy and the formulation of a national programme in partnership with employers is in the best interest of the country. This would provide industry with the required skills to move up into higher value activities.

This would also provide an opportunity for many youths to develop their skills and careers and seek stable and well-paid employment.

Moreover, such policies should also result in reducing lifetime dependencies on social services and the risk of poverty.

No one should be left behind!

Dr Mizzi is a management consultant.