2.4: Employability Programme

The Employability Programme consisted of a number of training initiatives aimed to assist jobseekers, the inactive, and the employed who are interested in upgrading their knowledge. The initiatives consisted of basic skills, work orientation, re-training programmes, traineeships, a training subsidy scheme and a skills assessment system.

Reintegration of job seekers and inactive into the labour market and assistance to those in employment to secure and advance their position within the labour market.

In the three-year period covered by the project, over 20,000 persons will be trained. The various initiatives in this programme are aimed at different client groups and therefore the success rates will vary considerably between, for instance, thus pursuing basic skills and those pursuing an advanced traineeship. However, it is generally estimated that at least 65% will complete their training successfully and become certified. It is also intended to ensure that at least 18.7% will go on to participate in further training and or find employment on completion.

The Employability Programme incorporates a collection of initiatives that are being proposed by the corporation to satisfy the needs of different client groups to further develop their skills and competencies tied to employability. It will aim to satisfy the following clients needs: 1. for persons with little or no skills or qualifications - the provision of basic, remedial skills and vocational training in a particular occupation will help individuals to take on further learning opportunities and hence become employable; 2. for those in employment interested in upgrading their skills will be assisted through the skills upgrading and retraining programmes. These programmes will be organised in vocational areas for which there is a labour market need. The resultant effect of such training is twofold, it will help those in employment, especially those in the lower end of the qualification structure to sustain their position in the labour market and further more it will contribute towards Malta's competitiveness rate. 3. the Jobseekers - through this programme, training sessions on job seeking skills (letter, CV writing, and interviewing skills) will be delivered on a regular basis. The aim of these sessions will be to empower and activate job seekers and as a result be in a position to seek sustainable employment. In addition, to these sessions workshops will be organised to help those needing additional assistance and with whom we would need to adopt a more personalised approach; 4. for job seekers - traineeships that would include a combination of on-the-job and off-the-job training will be provided. Traineeships will be provided in occupational areas in which there is a demand. These schemes have proved to be very successful as participants are exposed to real life situations at employers' establishments; 5. persons interested in being accredited for their prior learning - a number of occupational standards will be developed in consultation with employers and assessments sessions will be undertaken. This is in line with the proposals being made by Malta Qualification Council; 6. assisting persons to attend training programmes (not organised by the corporation) which will equip them with the right skills which help them to adapt to the changing needs of the labour market - financial assistance will be offered.