Training Aid Framework (TAF)

The scheme is in line with the Commission Regulation (EU) No 651/2014 of 17 June 2014 declaring certain categories of aid compatible with the common market in application of Articles 107 and 108 of the TFEU (General Block Exemption Regulation).

To promote access to training of persons actively participating in the Maltese labour market: increasing and/or improving the skills of persons currently in employment; enabling the beneficiaries to become more productive and competitive through the development of skills, knowledge and competence.

The overall responsibility for the management and implementation of the TAF2 is of the Employment and Training Corporation (ETC), designated Intermediate Body (IB). The responsibilities of the IB amongst others include:
a) wide dissemination of the aid scheme including promotions through various forms of media
b) provision of information to potential beneficiaries
c) receipt of TAF applications
d) presiding over the evaluation process
e) entering into a grant agreement with eligible applicants
f) monitoring the implementation of operations under the scheme
g) carrying out documentary and physical on the spot check
h) initiating the payment process in the Structural Funds Database 2007-13.

All enterprises, including partnerships, companies, self-employed persons, family businesses, associations or other bodies, whether vested with legal personality or not, having an economic activity.

The trainee needs to be formally employed with the beneficiary during the training period and must be participating in an eligible training programme.

Micro, small and medium size enterprises

any type of education and training
sector/company specific and transferable
internal and external
in Malta or abroad through distance learning

Aid shall not be granted for training which beneficiaries carry out to comply with National Mandatory Standards on training. Furthermore Information Sessions and Team Building events are not eligible under the TAF2 since these are not considered as training. Apprentices or students engaged in vocational training with an apprenticeship or vocational training contract are not eligible either.

ESF, State
matching: employer

Funds under the scheme are subject to a total budget of EUR 2 500 000.

The size of a company determines the level of support: large companies: 50% of eligble costs, medium: 60%, small or micro: 70%.

No upper limit for the amount of aid, although restrictions apply to the amount of travel and proportion of trainer costs that can be claimed from the fund.

Allocation: reimbursement principle; the grants are allocated to the eligible applicants on first-come, first-served basis.

Fees and other costs related to education and training, personnel absence costs.

Funds under the scheme are subject to a total budget of EUR 1 993 142 in 2013.

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The overall responsibility for the management and implementation of the TAF is of the ETC. ETC is the designated Intermediate Body (IB) for the implementation of the TAF2.

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http://icemalta.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/TAF_2_Guidance_Notes_Upd…

https://secure.etc.gov.mt/homedir/temp/ETCAnnualReport_2013.pdf

TAF2 is 'the training aid framework for the first half of 2015'. It is a re-design of the original TAF initiative with the argument that 'it's re-designed to pay out fast'. However there has been a reduction in the percentage of eligible costs reimbursed.

http://icemalta.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/TAF_2_Guidance_Notes_Upd…

http://icemalta.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/TAF-Leaflet.pdf

http://www.cedefop.europa.eu/FinancingAdultLearning/DisplayCountryDetai…)

http://etc.gov.mt/Resources/file/Training%20Aid%20Framework/TAF_Guideli…