28 June - 4 July 2001

Is there a shortage of IT skills in Malta?

by Ivan Brincat

The lack of interest among employers in IT traineeship programmes organised by the Employment and Training Corporation has led some to ask whether there is really a shortage of IT skills in Malta.
Although over 100 people have submitted an interest in these traineeships, the interest being shown by companies and employers so far is seen as rather limited.
Joe Vella, a consultant for Maltacom said during a business breakfast earlier this week that head-hunting in the IT sector is proving to be extremely costly for the industry.
He said the traineeship programme offered by the ETC is good because it is subsidised, it offers an incentive to trainees as it helps them to find a job while at the same time obtaining a National Computer Course (NCC) diploma.
The traineeship in computer programming forms part of the ETC’s national IT plan. It provides high level IT skills to job seekers interested in taking up a career in Information Techn-ology and to fulfil the skill shortage in the field. It is aimed at school-leavers, women returning to work, unemployed clients and employees who can be retrained for different skills due to restructuring.
The 10-month programme consists of three days per week on the job training and two days a week off the job of theoretical and practical tuition by a recognised training service provider.
People following a traineeship are entitled to at least the minimum wage and their employment is regularised by the Conditions of Employment (Regulation) Act throughout the traineeship.
The ETC is committed to pay employers a training subsidy equivalent to 25 per cent of the minimum wage for the 10 months of training.
This is increased to 50 per cent of the minimum wage in the case of persons with a disability and people over 40 years of age.
Last Monday’s breakfast was organised specifically to explain the traineeship to employers chosen by the ETC.
The traineeship proves to be very flexible because people can be trained in different computer skills. While four of the modules are compulsory, the trainee is able to choose, in coordination with his employer, another four modules.
Training in computer skills was normally done by the suppliers of software programmes but nowadays the demand is too high for such skills.
Employers are concerned about the possibility that the trainees would leave after 10 months. However, it is up to the employers to enter into a legal contract with the trainee.
The employer will also have the right to choose the people for the traineeship and also send existing members of staff for the course.
The entry requirements are a minimum of four ‘O’ levels. Preference will be given to those in possession of passes in English, Maths and Computer Studies even though these subjects are not necessary.