eSkills Alliance Malta was officially launched yesterday with the aim of addressing skills shortages within the ICT industry.
The Malta Information Technology Agency took the initiative to set up this specialised alliance that will bring the government, the private ICT sector and educational entities to identify the best way forward for the local ICT industry.
The eSkills Alliance will seek to act as a link between the local ICT business industry, academia and government who all have a direct influence on the development of the ICT sectors human resource requirements. The Chamber of Commerce and the Malta Employers Association are also part of the Alliance.
Austin Gatt, Minister for Information, Transport and Communication yesterday stated: “This initiative is key to Malta’s future economic success and key to Vision 2015. The Alliance will play an essential role in the consultation process for the development of our future ICT workforce and for providing businesses within the industry the skills they require, and at the right time.”
Two senior officials from eSkills UK, Martin Harvey and Nigel Payne, were also present for the launch. Mr Harvey leads strategy development in the UK and Mr Payne is the lead contact for the European Commission, the UK government and the UK trades unions.
“We are extremely happy to be here today and to be involved in the eSkills Alliance in Malta and we believe that our expertise and experience in this field will enable us to assist and guide eSkills Alliance in Malta towards the best strategy that will bring all stakeholders together to ensure that the needs of the ICT industry are met,” Mr Harvey explained.
Mr Payne also commented on the fact that the government’s initiative to establish the eSkills Alliance was a commendable one.
“Given the enormous impact the ICT industry has on all economic sectors, it is absolutely essential that the skills needed are in fact made available. This can only be done through consultation, policy implementation and tailor made educational programmes. The Maltese eSkills Alliance is embarking on a challenging yet very rewarding project, but it is imperative that concrete action is taken to address the needs of the industry,” he stated.
Mita’s chairman, Claudio Grech explained that “the targets for the Alliance for its first year of operation are focused on those fundamentals that are critical for eSkills to flourish in Malta, namely drafting an eSkills Competence Framework, kicking off an eSkills Demand and Supply Monitor, setting up an ICT Profession Body and putting Malta on the worldwide educational map as an ICT Campus Destination.”
Yesterday’s launch was held at the Malta Chamber of Commerce.