More commitment to addressing the skills gap

More commitment to addressing the skills gap A three-day conference focused on how to continue to address the skills gap in Malta and prepare the workforce for market needs. CareerScape 2026, hosted by the National Skills Council, which brought together educators, employers and students, came to an end today with a message from the Minister for Education, Sports, Youth, Research and Innovation, in which he emphasised that preparing workers for the future requires a collective effort. "Skills development is not the responsibility of just one institution, but a national commitment between the Government, the educational sector, industry and civil society in an effort towards a common goal," said Minister Grima. The Conference brought together educators, employers and students to examine how education and training can increasingly reflect the realities of today's labor market. Several interactive workshops were held during which participants from various sectors exchanged ideas and identified practical solutions to close the skills gap. Discussions focused on how rapidly changing industry needs are changing the skills required across sectors, as well as the importance of closer collaboration between education and employers. The closing speech was delivered by the Chief Executive of the National Skills Council, Dr Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando, who emphasised the urgency of adapting to rapid change, “It is estimated that 39% of the core skills of workers are expected to change by 2030. This is a clear signal that we need to continue to prepare, retrain and upskill our workforce for the jobs of the future.” CareerScape forms part of the National Skills Council's ongoing work to strengthen the link between education and employment and in support of the development of Malta's National Skills Strategy.