Traineeships have become an increasingly important way for young people to gain work experience and enter the labour market.  

The Traineeship scheme by Jobsplus aims at training individuals to find and retain employment by equipping participants with the initial vocational training (i.e. pre-employment training) to help them obtain the knowledge, skills and competences required by employers. Traineeships are based on a combination of on-the-job and off-the-job training; the programmes offered by Jobsplus are labour market driven, whereby the job preferences of the jobseekers are matched with the requests made by employers participating in the scheme.  

Jobsplus liaises with employers in order to build customer relationships and find placements. Jobsplus aims to create an effective line of communication with employers and also with other stakeholders to guarantee assistance which is personalised to individual needs and well-functioning partnerships. Furthermore, the Employer Services Unit, within Jobsplus, is set to assist employers in all matters pertaining to the entity and offers one-to-one meetings. During these meetings, employers are informed about all relevant Jobsplus services. The unit assists employers in the filling of vacancies online and applications for Jobsplus scheme including the Traineeship scheme. In addition Jobsplus also participates in different national employment events to promote its services. Apart from social media marketing, from time to time these initiatives are promoted on newspapers, magazines, through radio and television interviews, information sessions and employer events. 

An employers’ FAQ booklet was designed and made available to interested employers in both printed and digital versions, and an online version of the employers’ application form created through servizz.gov and is available in both Maltese and English. In 2025, Jobsplus published on its website a Recruitment Services booklet through which information about the services offered by the Employer Services Unit is made available. 

Jobsplus also undertakes multiple social media promotion and awareness campaigns, using posts and videos on Facebook and X accounts.  

To complement the targeted online approach, the Youth Guarantee Unit regularly attends and organises information meetings and conferences, and actively participates in targeted student events and fairs, during which information and custom merchandise are disseminated. As a result, valuable connections have been established with the schools’ psychosocial teams.  

The Institute for the Public Services (IPS) Traineeship Scheme ​is a structured learning experience designed to teach students practical knowledge and skills in a specific industry or profession within the Malta Public Administration. It combines on-the-job training with formal education and focuses on the knowledge, skills, and competencies required in today's work environment. Targeting students who are reading for a qualification at EQF level 6 & 7 (not in ICT or IT related areas of study) within the Mata College for Arts Science and Technology (MCAST), the University of Malta (UoM) or any other recognised tertiary education institution in Malta, the duration is determined by duration of the students' theoretical programme. One of the main objectives of the IPS Traineeship Scheme is to promote and enhance labour market opportunities for students.
 

Regarding apprenticeships, students who enrol at the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) can choose from courses that offer apprenticeships according to their preferences, academic achievements, and qualifications. Professional guidance is offered to students on an individual level, and an annual prospectus with all courses and their respective entry requirements, syllabi, and MQF level is issued. 

Apprenticeships providers interested in offering apprenticeship opportunities are dealt with on a one-to-one by the Apprenticeships Department at MCAST. 

In 2019, MCAST launched a new suite of MQF Level 6 Degree Apprenticeships in Biomedical Engineering, Construction Engineering, Software Development, Multimedia Software Development, Computer Systems and Networks and Fashion. Students following such degree apprenticeships will be able to achieve a recognised qualification while simultaneously getting paid for gaining valuable work experience. 

In recent efforts to enhance the apprenticeship experience and foster industry partnerships, MCAST hosted the "Encounter – MCAST Meets the Industry" series, including a conference to discuss the significance of apprenticeships for students, employers, and the local industry. This initiative underscores the importance of apprenticeships in preparing students for the workforce, highlighting the success of MCAST alumni in securing employment within their fields of study immediately after graduating. 

The launch of the MCAST Apprenticeship Guidebook is an important milestone. This guidebook provides comprehensive details about apprenticeship opportunities at MCAST. It is designed to offer students and industry partners valuable insights into the apprenticeship process, highlighting the structure, expectations, and benefits of participating in these programs. It aims to streamline the apprenticeship experience, ensuring all parties have clear guidance and understanding of their roles and responsibilities. 

Starting 2024, the 'MCAST Apprentice Onboarding Event', was held to foster networking opportunities between prospective apprentices and industry partners, with 67 companies participating. This initiative highlighted the college's proactive stance in bridging the skill and talent gap in the labour market, offering over 350 apprenticeships to more than 1,650 eligible students. This approach benefits the economy by preparing students for future careers in various industries and underscores the college's commitment to offering valuable apprenticeship opportunities. MCAST has established partnerships with over 2,200 companies, emphasizing the need for more apprenticeship opportunities to develop a highly skilled workforce and add value to businesses. 

MCAST has remained actively involved in increasing the number of industry partners to enable work-based learning through apprenticeships, internships, and work placements. Around 1,300 employers are registered with MCAST as industry partners in various economic sectors, including engineering, transport, applied sciences, creative arts, community services, business and commerce, agribusiness, and information technology. 300 new employers have been registered with MCAST as industry partners.  

MCAST has launched its 2024/2025 prospectus, introducing 202 full-time courses designed to meet the evolving needs of various industries. 

Additionally, there is a drive to involve industry directly in education by employing the students and then offering them the possibility to study while they are employed. Given the high employment rate, this could be more enticing for youths and non-students to continue education. MCAST has just launched the following initiatives with HVAC and aviation employers. 

The Maintenance and Repair Organisations (MROs) every year are invited to interview new students who enrol for aviation maintenance courses.  This is done on the request of the MROs themselves so that they recruit the new students and give them a full pay as full-time employees. The students follow the two-year full-time course at MCAST that also includes apprenticeship at the MRO. This system provides the students motivation to do well in their studies knowing that they have job security at the end of their studies. It also shows commitment from the part of MROs who commit themselves to sponsor the students’ training to secure a stream of new recruits into their expanding business. Students will do their apprenticeship at their sponsor’s place of work.  

Recently, the importers of air conditioners have set up an association.  They have contacted MCAST to see how we can cooperate in order to attract more students to the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) courses.  MCAST proposed to the association to set up a scheme similar to aviation.  They agreed, and as of this year, they are offering a number of sponsorships to students who take up HVAC courses.  Students in this scheme will get a salary from their sponsor and have also security of employment at the end of the course. Students will do their apprenticeship at their sponsor’s place of work. The association offered 25 sponsorships for students taking MQF level 3 and level 4 courses in HVAC. 

The Education and Training Programmes and Learning Support Centre for learning and Employability within MCAST supports GOV entities in projects that target the upskilling of individuals within industry and/or the community. Working with the Human Rights Directorate (HRD) on an AMIF project Sustaining Management of Migration Flows.  Training is offered in Maltese, English and Cultural integration.  

In collaboration with the Ministry for Social Policy and Children’s Rights –  L3 and L4 Awards were designed in Financial Literacy and Benefits Management respectively to upskill employees in Social Services Centres to equip them with the necessary knowledge, skills and competences to be able to give better provision to the clients in the community. Moreover, independently, Agency for Community and Therapeutic Services (ACTS) within the Foundation for Social Welfare Services (FSWS) supports clients and communities in acquiring knowledge and skills that could help them manage their personal and household finances more effectively. This occurs during individual sessions and through group work. 

Traineeships

Trainees participating in traineeships offered by Jobsplus are awarded two certificates: a certificate to cover the theoretical component delivered during the off-the-job training (in this case, if the courses offered are accredited trainees are awarded a certificate pegged between EQF/MQF level 1 to 4 depending on the traineeship) and another certificate to recognize their participation in the on-the-job training. Trainees participating in a traineeship are requested to fill out a handbook, which must include all the competences acquired throughout their on-the-job training.  The formal qualification provided by Jobsplus is accredited and based on the ECVET system.  On the certificates issued to those who successfully complete the formal training, one can find the EQF/MQF level of the course as well the number of ECVET points.  

Apprenticeships 

MCAST offers two year apprenticeship programmes at EQF/MQF Levels 3 and 4, depending on the particular courses. Students following an apprenticeship at MCAST are requested to fill in a vocational competence logbook that needs to be verified by the employer.  All apprenticeships offered by MCAST are formally accredited and students obtain ECTS and ECVET credits.   

Traineeships are offered under the new ESF+ programming period 2021 - 2027 as part of the Training for Employment Project (TFE). The traineeship component will have an allocated budget of EUR 797.625 and is set to run till December 2029.  

Under the new TFE project, Jobsplus will offer a Career Essentials Traineeship. During this scheme, a trainee will be attending a 50-hour course with Jobsplus that focuses on transversal skills and a 270-hour placement with employers during which they will learn the skills and competences needed for an occupation of their choice. Depending on the chosen occupation, trainees will receive a training allowance. For occupations that fall under ISCO groups 3 to 5 trainees will receive Eur7.50 per hour, while for occupations falling under ISCO groups 6 to 9, the training allowance will be pegged with the national minimum wage. Besides this generic traineeship, Jobsplus will also offer two other traineeships aimed at persons who would like to become Childcare Educators or Health Care Workers. 

Apprenticeship providers pay the apprentices’ wages and part of their National Insurance. They are also entitled to a tax rebate whenever they offer a placement to a trainee for a period of six months as per Legal Notice 179 of 2014. By means of such an initiative, a tax deduction equivalent to €600 for each work placement shall be allowed provided that such placements are of at least six months duration. 

Trainees enrolled on traineeship are monitored by Jobsplus.  During the monitoring visits that take place to evaluate the on-the-job training, Jobsplus staff seek feedback from both trainee and employer to gather additional information on their experience throughout the Scheme. 

During the off-the-job training, quality visits are performed by the Jobsplus Quality Assurance Unit within the Training Services Unit, whereby their role is to ensure that the delivery of the off-the-job training is in accordance with the accredited course; the trainer uses different delivery methodologies to meet the needs of all trainees and the tools and facilities used by trainers to deliver the course are in line with standards established by Jobsplus. 

When it comes to funding the training allowance, employers will be expected to submit declaration forms that will be fillable by means of an online application, confirming the hours attended by the trainee per week. These declaration forms are vetted by Jobsplus officials to ensure that trainees do not exceed the maximum 40 hours attendance per week. 

MCAST 

The Apprenticeship Department at MCAST have developed a Monitoring System where lecturers who are VET experts are monitoring in the industry. This ensures that the people who are actually monitoring the students know both the industry and the competences that the students should be gaining. Once a student is placed in an apprenticeship, they are assigned to a lecturer, and the lecturer completes an online report. The report can be flagged by both the employer and also by the student. Each visit, a report on the particular apprenticeship placement is compiled.  The monitoring lecturers also provide feedback to the apprenticeship provider.