Description
Country
Focus area
The Youth Guarantee scheme is an EU-funded project, developed for young people aged 15 to 25, and which consists of four education and employment related initiatives: the NEET Activation Scheme II, SEC Preventive Classes, MCAST Preventive Classes, and the ICT Summer Courses. Based on preventive and assistive measures, each opportunity is designed to help young people continue their education, or increase their chances of finding satisfaction and success in the world of work.
Link
Reference/weblink
Implementation level
At what level is the initiative implemented?
National
Legal base
Legal base (E.g. Law, regulation, implementing provision, other)
As a European Social Fund Project, it is implemented within the context of the laws regulating the European Structural and Investment Funds.
Starting period
TIMESPAN: In what year did the initiative commence?
The initiative commenced in 2015 and is expected to be brought to an end in 2022.
Perspective
PERSPECTIVE: is the initiative based on evidence derived from skill forecasts or foresight activities?
Yes - the project falls under Malta's Operational Programme II of the European Structural and Investment Funds, more specifically under Priority Axis 1 which seeks to invest in the employability and adaptability of human capital.
Policy area
To which POLICY AREAS(s) does the initiative apply?
Funding
How it is funded?
Funded by the EU
Part-financed by the European Social Fund
Skill mismatch
Skill mismatch target
What type(s) of skills MISMATCH does the initiative aim to addresses?
Underqualification (individuals' qualifications/credentials are below their job's needs)
Skill gaps (worker's skills are below the level of proficiency required by their employers and jobs)
Skills matching focus
How does the initiative address skills mismatches?
Not necessarily graduates, but the project's target group comprises of young people aged 15 to 25 who require support in continuing their education, or in increasing their chances of finding satisfaction and success in the world of work.
Skills delivered
What types of skill does the initiative deliver?
Basic literacy and numeracy skills
Basic digital skills
General employability skills (team working, communication, etc.)
Job search skills
Career management skills
Methods
Methods
What methods of undertaking skills assessments and / or skills anticipation does the policy instrument utilise?
Expert panels
In line with the Partnership principle, a project steering committee brings together different stakeholders including the Department of Lifelong Learning, the General Workers Union, Agenzija Zghazagh, the Maltese National Youth Council (KNZ), the Malta Chamber of SMEs (formerly known as GRTU), The Gozo Business Chamber and the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry.
Real-time labour market information (e.g. big data analysis of job advertisements, CVs)
Jobsplus is Malta's Public Employment Service, formerly known as the Employment and Training Corporation. It is therefore the primary source of real-time labour market information and utilises this in implementing the Youth Guarantee 2.0 Project.
Use of skills intelligence
How is labour market information / skills intelligence used within the initiative?
Based on trends and statistics linked to the Maltese labour market, Jobsplus employs the Youth Guarantee 2.0 to assist 15-25 year olds: in completing their SEC/Ordinary Level Examinations or their Vocational Education Examinations or their ICT/ECDL Assessments or else in Equipping themselves with soft-skills relevant to the Indsutry, followed by a period of work exposure or further education.
Stakeholders
Main responsible body
Main body or organisation with overall responsibility for the initiative.
National PES
Jobsplus
Other involved organisations
Which other organisations have a role in the initiative?
National ministry
Ministry for Finance and Employment - Involved in this scheme through the strategic direction it provides to Jobsplus.
Beneficiaries
Who are the intended beneficiaries?
The Youth Guarantee 2.0 Project provides a tailor-made service to young people aged between 15 and 25, equipping them with the right tools to strengthen their educational background and successfully launch themselves into the world of work.
Young people making the transition from education into work
Young people with low levels of basic skills /early leavers from education or training
Sustainability
Success factors
SUCCESS FACTORS in the implementation
The success rate of the initiative is on the rise, particularly due to the input of the consultative committee which reviews the efficacy of schemes, the outreach initiatives which have brought the project closer to both the target group (youths) but also to Guidance Teams and Vocational Institutions, and the fact that all applications may now be accessed digitally.
Monitoring and evaluation
MONITORING and EVALUATION: Is progress measured regularly? What are the indicators used to measure progress of the policy instrument? Have any evaluations been conducted?
There is regular and systematic monitoring across all activities of the Youth Guarantee 2.0 project. This includes: monitoring visits (announced & unannounced), in-depth evaluations and surveys, as well as standard monitoring operating procedures. These processes are all in line with the guidelines provided by the European Social Fund. OPII Annual Implementation Reports shed light on running schemes - the most recent reports may be accessed from here: https://eufunds.gov.mt/en/Operational%20Programmes/Useful%20Links%20and…
Updates
UPDATES: whether there have been any major updates of the initiative since it has been implemented?
Initially, the Youth Guarantee project adopted a 'one size fits all' strategy. Following extensive research with participants, it was deemed that this original strategy was not working for everyone; each participant is different, and the activities needed to reflect that. The present-day project therefore ensures that participants receive a tailor-made service, with support based on their needs.
Yes
Effectiveness
EVIDENCE ON EFFECTIVENESS: How effective is the policy instrument?
"The implementation of the Youth Guarantee scheme in Malta is well advanced and remains effective in terms of timeliness of offers, sustainability of outcomes, and quality of services delivered. Progress has been made in reducing the number of NEETs, but outreach has been recognised as a challenge. Malta has put in place several measures to reach out to a higher number of NEETs. The strong preventative approach used by Malta is in principle preferable to ex-post activation. However, Youth Guarantee coverage remains low and there is scope to step up and strengthen the measures aimed at reaching and supporting those facing multiple barriers and at further addressing the large group of early school leavers". More information: 'Youth Guarantee Country by Country - Malta', published in October 2020.
Sustainability
SUSTAINABILITY: How sustainable is the policy instrument? Do you expect the instrument to continue over the next few years and why?
Combating unemployment - particularly amongst youth - will always be a crucial priority for each EU Member State. With global uncertainty, an on-going pandemic and an increasingly competitive job market, it has never been more important for individuals to equip themselves with solid skills and experiences. Consequently, there is clear indication that this project will be sustained.
Other instruments in Malta
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