Although the European Year of Skills officially came to an end in May 2024, Malta has concrete plans to build on the momentum it generated. In spring 2024, the national Career Guidance Network was established, followed by CareerScape events, setting the scene for an emerging careers campaign set to be launched by the end of the year. The establishment of a national Career Guidance Network was one of the measures envisaged in the Maltese national implementation plan (NIP), which was developed in 2022 in line with the VET Recommendation.
The national Career Guidance Service Network
On 24 April 2024, the national Career Guidance Network was officially launched during a business breakfast titled ‘Looking Beyond the European Year of Skills’ co-organised by the Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation and the National Skills Council. This initiative aims to foster a cohesive and efficient career guidance system that bridges the gap between education and employment.
The launch event, attended by key stakeholders, served as a platform introducing the national Career Guidance Network. The network will comprise guidance offices from all institutions to create synergies in the provision of guidance and information, securing a seamless experience for all individuals using this service.
The next steps involve consultations with education institutions, employers, professional associations, and government agencies to develop a robust framework for career guidance that supports lifelong learning and career progression. This collaborative approach aims to foster a more responsive and adaptive VET system that can meet the challenges of a rapidly changing labour market.
CareerScape events: a platform for dialogue and collaboration
Recent CareerScape events brought career guidance professionals together with representatives from academia, VET institutions, enterprises, and public entities from 13 different sectors. The events, held on 8 and 9 May 2024, aimed to cement further the National Career Guidance Network’s role in the VET landscape. The diverse participation underscored the importance of a multi-stakeholder approach in addressing the dynamic nature of career development and emerging job markets. Discussions were centred around:
- the identification of emerging careers;
- the integration of digital and green skills in education and training programmes;
- strategies to forecast the future of work better through education and learning pathways.
The events provided a valuable opportunity for stakeholders to share insights, best practices, and innovative solutions to common challenges in career guidance and VET.
Going forward: emerging careers – national campaign
The next phase involves the development of a comprehensive national campaign focused on emerging careers. It is expected to raise awareness of the evolving job market and the skills required to thrive in new and emerging sectors. A series of consultations with major local stakeholders, including career guidance professionals, is under way to ensure that the campaign is inclusive, informed by industry needs, and aligned with national economic priorities.
Read more
- CareerScape event – registration webpage
Newspaper article on CareerScape events and the emerging careers national campaign
| Please cite this news item as: ReferNet Malta, & Cedefop (2024, November 19). Malta: launching the national Career Guidance Network. National news on VET. |