Aid programmes / schemes
Access to Employment Scheme
Access to Employment (A2E) Scheme provides employment aid to enterprises in Malta and Gozo to promote the recruitment
of the more challenged amongst jobseekers and inactive persons.
Employers who engage eligible individuals shall receive a subsidy of €85 per week per new recruit for 26 weeks, 52 weeks
or 104 weeks, depending on the target group. In the case of registered disabled persons, a subsidy of €125 per week for a
maximum of 156 weeks is provided.
The A2E Scheme is co-financed by the European Social Fund, the Maltese Government and employers.
Average Wage Earner Scheme
This scheme assists employed and self-employed persons attending one of Jobsplus courses and whose weekly wage does
not exceed €300 (basic) per week.
Jobsplus offers training courses in various areas including literacy and numeracy, computing, trade, technical, accounting,
clerical work and care services. Employed individuals following these courses can benefit from a financial grant of €25 per
week provided that they attend a minimum of four hours of training per week.
Bridging the Gap Scheme
Registered disabled persons & other people in disadvantaged situations can engage in a period of work exposure with an
employer to enable them to demonstrate the skills needed for a particular job.
For the duration of the scheme, registered participants will be exempted from the weekly registration. Clients receive a weekly
allowance of 80% of the minimum wage from Jobsplus while renouncing the rights to any social security benefits throughout
the work exposure phase if the period exceeds twenty-eight weeks.
Employers participating in this scheme are exempted from social security contributions, wages and sick leave benefits.
Throughout this work exposure phase, the employer can benefit from the support of Jobsplus officials.
Mature Workers Scheme
Employers, including self-employed individuals, who as from 2014 employ persons aged between 45 and 65, and who have
been registering for work on Parts 1 and 2 of the unemployment register for the preceding six months, will have their income
tax deducted pro-rata, as per the following information.
Employers will receive up to a maximum of €11,600 in tax deductions on the chargeable income for the first two years of
employment for each eligible employee. This will result in savings of €5,800 per annum.
Moreover, employers who engage eligible employees may benefit from a further tax deduction of 50% of the cost of training
up to a maximum of €400 per employee.
Work Exposure Scheme
The Work Exposure Scheme is intended to facilitate transition into employment by providing jobseekers with initial hands
on training that will help individuals obtain the knowledge, skills and competences required to find and retain employment.
This scheme is designed to mirror contemporary labour market demand, whereby the job preferences of the jobseekers are
matched with employers’ requests.
The duration of the work exposure will be 12 weeks and a participant is to report to the place of work for an average of 20
hours/week. The on-the-job training will take place at the employer’s premises with whom the trainee is placed. Participants
are paid a training allowance upon participation in the Work Exposure Scheme; this grant is calculated on the national minimum
wage. Unemployed registrants participating in the scheme will be exempted from the weekly registration.
The Work Exposure Scheme forms part of the Training for Employment project, which may be considered for co-financing by
the European Social Fund 2014-2020.
Training
The Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) is a public college providing postsecondary vocational education
which offers quality full-time and part-time professional and vocational education and training programmes that respond to
the current as well as the growing and changing demands of industry. The college provides young people and adults with
the knowledge, skills and competences as a solid basis for a career and lifelong learning in support of Government’s ongoing
investment in better jobs and in ensuring social inclusion.
MCAST works together with the major stakeholders, social partners and professional bodies in order to satisfy the demands
for a skilled labour force and to review the changing needs of each industrial sector. Over the past years, the private sector has
been emerging in new areas where demand has been greater than the capacity of public institutions, or in particular niches
were no provision was available. In order to address this issue, Malta adopted a strategic approach to ensure an adequate
supply of appropriate and flexible skills.
Apprenticeships
In Malta, apprenticeship schemes are based on a dual system, where the apprentice follows a training programme at
vocational educational institution as well as carries out on-the-job training at a place of work. Apprenticeship schemes are
administered by the Training Services Division within Jobsplus and are organised in collaboration with vocational educational
providers.
The responsibilities of Jobsplus include the following:
The two schemes available are:
The apprentice, the employer (also known as the sponsor) and Jobsplus enter into an agreement laying down the rights and
obligations of all parties during the apprenticeship. According to Legal Notice 82 of 1990 (Technician Apprenticeship Scheme)
and Legal Notice 73 of 1998, all apprentices are entitled to a maintenance grant (paid by government) and a wage. The stipends
vary according to the year within the apprenticeship that the apprentices spends on-the-job training.
• Marketing of Schemes with Prospective Participants and Parents
• Issue call for applications
• Promotion of the apprenticeship scheme with prospective apprentices and employers
• Assisting persons who wish to embark on an apprenticeship to find a suitable training
placement
• Provide assistance to organizations wishing to sponsor apprentices
• Monitor the on-the-job training of apprentices
• Co-ordinate the trade testing process of apprentices on completion of their
apprenticeship.
1. Technical Apprenticeship Scheme, which leads the apprentice to obtain an occupational competence at technician
level (in areas such as aircraft maintenance, computer engineering, industrial electronics, mechanical engineering,
telecommunications, amongst others)
2. Extended Skills Training Scheme, whereby the apprentice learns a trade or skill at craftsman level (for example as
electrical installer, plumber, plasterer, welder, etc).
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Employment related obligations and policies
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Employment related obligations and policies