Month: May 2023

Europe Day is an important occasion to look back on the progress achieved to date but also an opportunity to look towards the future and engage in an active discussion. An active dialogue between the European institutions and relevant stakeholders is essential in continuing to revitalize the European dream and deepen the European integration. This is particularly relevant at present in view of the extraordinary challenges the EU has faced in recent years.

In view of the need to address skills shortages in the EU, as well as upgrade the skills of millions of people with a focus on the green and digital transition, the theme chosen for 2023 is the European Year of Skills. The European Commission estimates that the green transition could create up to 1 million additional jobs in the EU by 2030. This is coupled with the fact that 4 out of 10 adults who work in Europe currently lack basic digital skills.

MBB President Alison Mizzi stated that, “Employers and workers operate in markets which are defined by change. While important to take stock and dedicate primary focus in a given year, the skills gaps challenge is a long-term one. Looking beyond 2023, on a macro level, the EU must continue providing policy tools matching the labour market needs. On a micro level, employers will require to continue undertaking consisting monitoring of their workers’ competencies and ensure adequate training takes place to align the skills with their enterprise’s current and future needs.”

Ms. Mizzi continued that, “The European Year of Skills therefore needs to be synchronised with broader efforts to underpin progress in the European semester process, which must be supported with investments, necessary reforms and effective social dialogue aiming to foster skills development.”

“Significant effort is required to increase the interest in STEM-related programmes as well as increasing female participation in tertiary-level STEM subjects. There is also a need to focus more on the content and learning outcomes of traineeships. With improved skills and knowledge trainees are eventually integrated in a qualified and competent workforce,” Ms. Mizzi concluded.

Positively, the European Year of Skills aims to action several initiatives in ensuring that a cohesive tangible effort is achieved across the EU. Through a calendar of activities, the EU will promote upskilling and reskilling opportunities, highlights EU funding possibilities, and organises national events and awareness-raising campaigns encouraging enterprises and workers to take up opportunities for upskilling and reskilling. Furthermore, the EU Pact for Skills, which is an important policy initiative to addresses skills shortages and skills gaps includes a tool aimed at extending the possibility for employers to screen third country national candidates through an EU Talent Pool as part of the Talent Partnerships Initiative, and which is expected to be published later this year.

The Malta Business Bureau is the EU business advisory organisation of The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry, and the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association. The MBB is also a partner of the Enterprise Europe Network.

The President of The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry Chris Vassallo Cesareo welcomed the meeting with the Prime Minister and stated that The Malta Chamber looks forward to continued dialogue.

President Vassallo Cesareo spoke about the issue of inflation and said that, “government has done well to protect the economy by absorbing energy prices but the business community needs a clear way forward on when and how government intends to stop or taper off energy subsidies.”

During this meeting President Vassallo Cesareo also spoke about good governance especially in regards to public procurement and urged for more level playing field. He also made reference to the urgent need for a justice reform.

President Vassallo Cesareo was accompanied by the Board of Management of The Malta Chamber together with the CEO Dr Marthese Portelli.

Maltese manufacturing companies are being invited to participate in industry-academia research collaborations with educational institutions such as the University of Malta. To support in such initiatives, EWA, the Malta Business Bureau & The Malta Chamber organised an outreach event in which the business community was informed on what opportunities are available. This was the 9th event in the WE MAKE series of workshops running till July 2023.

Toly acted as a case study of successful collaboration with the University of Malta to achieve a significantly reduced environmental footprint from its operations. MCST guided the businesses attending the event through other case studies, and elaborated on what funding streams are available to support such projects and partnerships. Businesses interested in opening the door to such opportunities are therefore invited to get in touch with the project team behind the WE MAKE project responsible for organising the outreach.

Ing Ruben Cuschieri, Chair of the Manufacturers Economic Group at The Malta Chamber, stated that:

“Industry-academia collaboration is not a one-size-fits-all situation, and there are several key institutional partners who can help businesses find what is suitable for them. It can be as simple as sponsoring a University or MCAST student to carry out research in a company.”

During a time of skills and human resource shortage in manufacturing, integrating student projects into a company’s workflow provides an opportunity for a highly beneficial mutual undertaking. Furthermore, high-level research projects such as AIR SAVE allow academics from the Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, such as Dr Ing. Paul Refalo and Dr Ing. Emmanuel Francalanza, to develop new solutions to achieve significant energy efficiency gains in industry. AIR SAVE is a compressed air integrity monitoring and control system using AI and IOT, developed in collaboration with AIM Enterprises. Toly is engaged in the VacuUM project with Dr Arif Rochman and Dr Ing Paul Refalo who are working on a seal-less mould vacuum system aimed to improve energy and material efficiency. Companies that wish to work with the University of Malta can get in touch with the Projects Support Office or Research Support Services Directorate.

Mr Stephen Borg of the R&I Unit of MCST presented opportunities to receive aid through the FUSION Programme, which has a wide portfolio of funding programmes. It accommodates an extensive technology readiness spectrum, and programmes can include funding initial research, commercialisation of innovative technologies and many other opportunities up to helping put products on the market. A successful case study is that of HDMS, an initiative between Carlo Gavazzi and the University, which developed a single-phase starter motor with a start-and-run capacitor. The product is aimed at heat pumps with limitations in the supply network. MCST’s Internationalisation Unit also promotes projects across borders, and between 2019-2022 granted 6 million euros in support. Those interested in collaborations are encouraged to register on MCST’s plumtri platform for research & innovation.

Dr Ing Alexia Pace Kiomall from Malta Enterprise encouraged participants to register with the Enterprise Europe Network, the largest European support network for SMEs. In doing so, businesses will benefit from a matchmaking tool with 4310 profiles which may facilitate collaboration with academia.

Senior Projects Executive at the Malta Business Bureau, Timothy Alden, who moderated the event, is encouraging all manufacturing businesses interested in exploring industry-academia opportunities to get in touch at talden@mbb.org.mt