The European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop) has estimated that by 2025 approximately 26 per cent of all jobs would be high in occupations in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics)-related fields.

Meanwhile, the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry and the Malta Business Bureau have expressed concern at the fact that finding people with the right skills is already proving quite difficult in some sections, specifically in those related to STEM.

As a result of this concern, the Malta Council for Science and Technology, the Malta College of Arts Science and Technology and the University of Malta have embarked on a national approach to create awareness on the missed opportunities if people do not embark on STEM-related careers, the effect of this on Malta’s ever-growing economic sector and the necessary action required to tackle the ever-increasing problem.

The health services, aviation engineering, civil engineering, manufacturing, ICT and financial services sectors have been acknowledged as the main drivers for employment growth in Malta. Continued growth within these sectors would require a parallel growth in a highly-skilled pool of employees. Also, as quoted by Cedefop in 2015, Malta’s aspirations of becoming a hub for different kinds of innovative services will continue increasing opportunities for medium and high-skilled careers.

While Malta has been focusing on trying to bridge the skills gap by increasing its skills supply to tackle expected skills needs, bottlenecks are to be found in some sectors, such as specialist medical practitioners and nurses, trained technicians in electronics, aviation and civil engineering and software developers in the ICT and numerate scientists sector.

The blame for the shortage of STEM graduates is often laid at the door of students. However, it might well be that society at large could be held accountable for this shortfall.

A national conference to address the critical situation took place at the Esplora Interactive Science Centre, Kalkara, during which a collective STEM engagement paper was presented by the MCST, University and Mcast. The paper presents the current situation and highlights that while initiatives to tackle STEM skills have already been put in place in some sectors, unless further action is taken, it might be too late for sustained economic growth.

We will be striving to address the STEM skills gap

The paper presented a recommendation for a STEM working group to push forward the cohesive ideas presented in the proposal, as well as the development of a consolidated Malta science communication strategy.

In his keynote speech MCST chairman Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando said: “We will be striving to address the STEM skills gap in Malta, an issue we consider to be of national importance. Esplora endeavours to encourage our visitors to explore, think, imagine, appreciate and create. It is the tool which we will be using to facilitate our efforts to encourage younger generations to seriously consider the possibility of embarking on STEM-related careers.”

University rector Alfred Vella said: “The University cannot promote science, engineering and technology education and perform serious research locally without the involvement of enough students and young researchers. The search for these human treasures begins at primary school level. That’s why we’re here to engage with our partners in education to send a common message that the world of science and technology is marvellous and also critical for our national development and continued well-being.”

Mcast principal and CEO Joachim James Calleja said: “Mcast will be a key player in supporting STEM engagement by providing students and employees with the necessary skills, competencies and knowledge in support of Malta’s dynamic and prosperous economy. The college’s work-based learning programme will provide industry-based training and the necessary support to learners in an effort to address the current skills gap and future-proof our workforce.”

The debate panel discussions addressed four key areas: STEM-related policy and strategy; STEM employability, mismatches and the skills gap; public science capital and the gender gap in STEM; and STEM education and communication.

The first two areas were tackled by panel members Silvio Schembri, Parliamentary Secretary for Financial Services, Digital Economy and Innovation; Karl Gouder, Shadow Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations; Nicola Cini, department manager, Employment Services, Jobsplus; and Andre Fenech, head, Policy Development, Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry.

This panel addressed the relevance of STEM from an economic perspective and the value in the development of a national STEM engagement strategy; the role of the government in supporting STEM; and local and EC trends with regards to the skills gap.

The third and fourth key areas were discussed by Labour MEP Miriam Dalli; Nationalist MEP Roberta Metsola; Joanne Grima, CEO, Institute for Education; and Gaetano Bugeja, director, Learning and Assessment Programmes, Ministry for Education and Employment.

This group tackled questions such as the political commitments at EU level towards STEM education. The set-up of competitive, accessible funds to communicate STEM subjects and the measures being taken so that more students will take up these subjects at subject choice stages to translate into more students taking STEM careers were also discussed.

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