Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) personnel who completed 25 years of service and those who have reached 53 years of age and over have been briefed on their pension rights and employment prospects.

The AFM initiative sought the services offered by the Employment and Training Corporation (ETC) to brief its soldiers on these important issues. Brigadier Carmel Vassallo said the AFM was sensitive to the fact that its soldiers might not be ready or adequately prepared to retire after their 25 years of service and before they reached the normal pension age.

Victor Mifsud, ETC Over-40s programme coordinator, expanded on the challenges in today’s labour market together with the possible solutions. He emphasized the qualities which employers look for in their potential employees.

Such qualities include maturity and discipline, which are synonymous with AFM members.

The Acting Senior Manager of the Employment Services Division, Raphael Scerri, explained the procedures which a person should go through when registering for work, receiving training and eventually finding employment. Ylenia Cauchi, an employment adviser at the Corporation, discussed the expectations of employers.

Warrant-Officer Joseph Magri also briefed the employees of their conditions of work and retirement rights and procedures.

The pension rights and other social security benefits and contributions were explained by Frankie Micallef, Assistant Director at the Department of Social Security.

The Employment and Training Corporation will soon launch its annual campaign targeting the over-40’s. At present, the Corporation is offering over 80 training programmes free of charge to those registering for work.

The Corporation will soon be launching a number of employment schemes through funding from the European Social Fund.