The Ministry for Tourism and Consumer Protection, together with the Malta Tourism Authority, during a press conference held earlier today, officially launched a €5 million investment in the tourism industry.
Malta will be the first country to boldly invest in human resources prepping the sector for the postCOVID phase.
This investment, in collaboration with the Malta Tourism Authority, will offer a top-level training platform to thousands of workers in the tourism sector.
A public call attracted more than 36 companies, including the University of Malta, ITS and international bodies such as Forbes, UNESCO and a number of international universities and training centres.
The courses offered under this scheme will be free of charge to participants and will be wholly financed by the MTA. The online training courses will address a wide range of skills that are required in the tourism industry. In total, there are 300 accredited courses and around 750 short courses including language courses.
Minister for Tourism and Consumer Protection Julia Farrugia Portelli said that from the initial stages the Ministry was hands on deck to safeguard the thousands of jobs in the tourism industry. In fact, 90% of those working in the accommodation and food sector are benefitting from the Covid wage supplement. A quarter of the total number of workers receiving the Covid Wage Supplement work in the tourism sector.
Minister Farrugia Portelli said that after Covid there will be changes to life as well as working patterns and behaviours and so our workforce has to be reskilled and retrained to adapt to such changes. Hence, this 5 million investment which will offer training to 25,000-30,000 individuals. Minister Farrugia Portelli concluded that Malta is amongst the best countries to address the Covid challenge - this investment, together with other planned projects, will place our country on a better platform than others.
Johann Buttigieg, Chief Executive of the Malta Tourism Authority, stated: "The training courses cater for a variety of abilities and occupational levels, covering various themes including management and leadership skills, personal skills, self-development, customer care, linguistic skills and specific industry-related skills. The courses are being provided by world-renowned quality names and local experts in their fields. Knowledge is an intangible asset that a person carries with him wherever he goes, and no one will take it away. The industry will enjoy better professionals in all aspects of tourism which in turn will provide a better experience to tourists and locals alike."
The Permanent Secretary within the Ministry, Mr Ronald Mizzi, was also present during the press conference.