The present government is delivering. Perhaps the most important sector, which if unsuccessful hits the people worst, is the employment sector. This exigency creates a situation where the government is bent on finding new avenues and projects which meet the demand of those who need to work and seriously wish to find employment.

If one looks historically at this sector, it is evident that since Independence in 1964, the attracting of foreign investment, which in turn brings about substantial employment together with the development of the various sectors of the local economy, requires not only long term planning but also the education of both our present and future workforce. This, coupled with the thousands of jobs in the public sector, provide the basis of maximum employment in the country.

It is said that behind every successful person, there has to be a resilient, faithful and determined spouse. In parallel, for every successful economic operation, there has to be a good backbone – a well prepared, loyal and determined workforce.

There are today some sectors wherein individual operating companies or firms do not employ hundreds, but together form the backbone of distinct but related operations, which mean employment of thousands in each sector. This is the case of financial institutions, building contractors, service providers, consumer orientated businesses etc. There are, of course, the few companies which are deemed to be “the big ones” which provide employment to hundreds – if not thousands. The economy relies heavily on these and though in some cases the profits do not remain local, the fact that these provide employment goes a long way in seeing to the continual need of having one and all in employment.

Government has, over the years, worked for things to happen. First, it was Independence from the colonial power. Then, it meant changing from a defence orientated to a diversified economy. The then Prime Minister introduced the country to light industry, textile factories and tourism. Subsequently property construction emerged in a big way to be followed in recent years by financial and related services.

Recently, a lot has been said about captive insurances, pharmaceutical and IT industry and what not. Furthermore, having joined the European Union and having a unique geographical position, which bridges the European and the Arab cultures and relative economies, goes a long way in determining where the central Mediterranean hub for the meeting of these two economic powers should lie – in Malta.

Now, we face a new challenge. A Dubai based company, TECOM, has chosen Malta from among others for the construction and operation of a Smart City which should have, at full operating capacity, a workforce that should be in excess of 5,600.

This agreement is not something which fell out of the sky, but the result of heads bent down in unison and making the concept become reality. Thanks to the never-ending efforts of Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, and Minister for Investment and IT, Austin Gatt. We are now at the stage wherein the project has been presented and the formal initialisation of the relative agreements are due to be signed any day.

Day one is here and this means going ahead at full speed.

There is no time to stand and stare. No time to sit basking in the sun and watch life go by.

This means that we cannot now sit pretty and wait for things to happen. We have to make them happen.

There are logistics to be attended to, as well as the upgrading of the systems and procedures involved in the granting of work permits, health clearances, licenses, and so many other necessary permits.

This upgrading, better still streamlining, is necessary so that those involved in the initial stages of the project as well as those who will be working here will find Malta ready to welcome them and expecting them to start operations with the least delay possible.

We have to be a country with an efficient bureaucratic system prepared to bend over (without breaking its own back or its procedures / systems) in order to accommodate an investment which should see the country benefiting for tens of years to come.

This is a golden opportunity which possibly happens only once.

Employment of 5,600 people

This figure is in excess of three per cent of the local work force.

Though it is not expected that all these will be local employees, the bulk of this number should not only help ETC in allocating jobs for those prepared to take up the challenge but will bring about a substantial decline in number of the unemployed.

These are not jobs for the boys, but jobs for the qualified, for those ready to commit themselves to long-term employment which can open further opportunities in a fast IT-orientated world.

Yet, those presently without jobs should prepare themselves too.

If there are courses to be held and followed in the various specialised arts or sciences, let us together take up the challenge and prepare ourselves so that when the jobs are on offer, Maltese personnel will qualify en-masse.

The variety of jobs will be plentiful but the major employment will be in the IT sector. We already have those who could find employment in the ancillary positions, namely in maintenance, upkeep of property, cleaning etc.

Serious preparation of the right persons in IT requires intensive and urgent teaching. Let us forget the hot summer days, find air-conditioned classrooms and move ahead. I certainly would not like to see us lack in personnel and I am sure that with such a vibrant, up and coming young generation, Malta could meet the challenge.

This is one deal which we cannot bypass.

We can make this a success story. We are known to squabble with each other for the least thing, but when it comes to bread and butter, we shift and go into top gear. We forget our petty differences; get down to business and make things work. Malta is known to be positive and pro-active but in this case an all round effort will be needed on a continuous basis.

The die is set. Now, let’s make it happen.

Tony Abela is Parliamentary Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister