The government is undertaking several projects in order to bridge the gap between education and employment and empower people to build their own future, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said yesterday.
Addressing party supporters in Ricasoli, Dr Gonzi expressed his optimism and that of his government on the future of Malta and said that this was why the government was investing so much time and money in education. He said education was the key to Malta’s future.
Dr Gonzi said the government was bringing over investment to Malta, especially in the information technology sector. This, he said, meant that these investors would need educated and trained youths to fill the vacancies that will become available. To this effect, Dr Gonzi urged students to study and be ambitious in whatever they do, adding that there was a bright future ahead for them.
Referring to the second anniversary since Malta joined the European Union, the Prime Minister said European Union membership brought about a golden opportunity for the Maltese to improve their skills and their lives. “We are empowering people, giving them the possibility of constructing their future. Our youths need to continue studying and need not be scared of change,” he said.
Dr Gonzi also spoke about demonstrations organised by the General Workers’ Union, saying that these do not do any good to create employment opportunities for Maltese workers.
Also addressing yesterday’s political meeting was Education Minister Louis Galea who spoke about the government’s comprehensive plan to bridge the gap between education and employment. He said the Employment and Training Corporation, the Malta College for the Art, Science and Technology, the University of Malta, several private institutions, employers and self- employed who invest in their employees are all doing sterling work to bridge the gap between education and employment, which, he said, go hand in hand.
Dr Galea said education and training were two very important elements for the future of the country and its people.
He said that in 2005, the ETC managed to find a placement for over 3,300 people, while more than 600 employers are participating in the apprentice scheme.
He said ETC in Gozo was also looking at the specific needs and requirement of the region.
On MCAST, Dr Galea said this college had 4,000 students, but the government intends to see this doubling and more over the next few years.
The government also wants to see the university growing more than it has already grown in recent years, he said.
He said the world of work and that of training and education go hand in hand, adding that education is the biggest incentive for possible investors and the creation of more employment opportunities.
On his part, Investments and Information Technology Minister Austin Gatt said the SmartCity@Malta project was the largest one ever undertaken in this country because the investors saw Malta as the ideal place where to invest due to the skills of the Maltese workers.
He said this project will create 5,600 employment opportunities because the investors believe in Maltese youths.
In a remark referring to MLP’s statement on a need for a plan for youths, Dr Gatt said: “We don’t need plans for youths. We need concrete projects which we are bringing to Malta.”
Referring to the recent decision taken by HSBC to set up a regional call centre in Malta was also due to the fact that the bank recognised the investment potential.
Dr Gatt said the Nationalist Party had a vision for Malta and this is what distinguished the PN from the Malta Labour Party.
He said the PN government vision of Malta is a centre of excellence in the Mediterranean in the Information and Communication Technology sector.
Justice Minister Tonio Borg said the PN has always taken the best decision in the best interest of the country and its citizens.
He said Malta’s independence and when it became a republic as well as Malta’s EU membership were all the result of the PN’s vision. He expressed his conviction that the introduction of the euro will be added to this list.