This is my first contribution in the New Year, so may I therefore take the opportunity to express my sincere wishes for a prosperous and healthy year to all the readers of this newspaper.

Apart from the important historical anniversaries that our country will be commemorating in 2014, all the political parties will be engaged in a campaign that will lead to Saturday, 24th May, when the Maltese public will deliver its verdict on who is competent enough to represent it in the European Parliament.

As I campaign around the Maltese Islands as one of those trying to secure a seat in the EU Parliament I am, obviously, coming into contact with people from many different walks of life. With great humility, I try to help those who seek my assistance. Sometimes this can be a simple gesture, a word of encouragement, or listening to their troubles.

However, in a couple of instances I have come across young people in their last year of secondary education who are not only reluctant to continue their education but are adamant that they do not even want to sit for their ‘O’ level examinations.

As a full-time member of the academic staff at the University of Malta, I find this very worrying and disturbing. Needless to say, our beloved country can only prosper if it has a well-trained workforce and achieving a well-trained workforce not only necessitates knowing the how but also the why, as I continuously tell my undergraduate accountancy students.

Also, whilst acknowledging that not everyone is eligible to pursue a course at the university, surely, we cannot let elements of our younger generation go astray without successfully completing their secondary education. Beyond the statistical targets that might be referred to in terms of our EU counterparts, all politicians of whatever political creed should be keen on trying to convince and motivate such young talent to become achievers.

In the latest case I encountered, I was really pleased to learn that the young lad involved is, like me, a festa enthusiast, placing particular emphasis on designing mechanical sets for the ground fireworks in his parish. I obviously asked him the direct question: “But were you absolutely certain that it would work as you had designed it?” The young lad was very honest, and told me that there had been a degree of tension until it had all gone off on the dot. I once again emphasised the importance of knowing the why and not only the how of whatever we are engaged in.

Knowing the why entails successfully completing formal education and at least gaining the necessary competencies. Certain employment opportunities not only require a secondary level of education but also call for some advanced level subject matter. From an academic point of view, I still would like to know why such a phenomenon exists – particularly when we discover that there is some inner talent that needs nourishing and cultivation.

So how can we motivate such young talent to complete their secondary education and do something wonderful with their lives? Certainly, giving the right words of encouragement and boosting their morale should help and I am certain that the teaching staff in our schools do just that. Reaching out to them in Form V is, in my humble opinion, definitely crucial.

I am certain that there are individuals out there who, notwithstanding the fact that they have made a success of their lives, still miss not having had the opportunity to further their educational background. Such people could retell their life-time experiences and explain the tough times they had to endure. I am certain that most dockyard workers who, in the mid-1950s, were trained at De La Salle College to be possible apprentices at the then HM Dockyard, have a lot to say. Our younger generation could understand the importance of acquiring the basic skills that include Maltese, English and Maths.

I am overwhelmed when I meet up with local industrialists and gain first-hand experience of the high degree of innovation and creativity we Maltese possess. No wonder we have managed to attract such high profile foreign direct investment as Playmobil, Trelleborg, Methode Electronics and, more recently, Lufthansa Technik. However, this type of success can only prosper if we are not complacent and address this issue. It is extremely important that we politicians, academics, parents and whoever has the well-being of the nation close to their heart reach out to these young people. It is imperative that none of these youngsters is left behind and we should all feel responsible for making all necessary attempts to convince them to at least successfully finish their secondary education.

However, we also have to be prepared for the eventuality that such youngsters will not sit for their ‘O’ levels. It would definitely be a disservice to our society if we do not consider the best possible way the state can help such young people.

The current Labour government, pretty aware of this situation, has already taken certain measures. Through the Employment and Training Corporation (ETC), the government has just launched an Alternative Learning Programme, the primary aim of which is to reach out to such young people and offer them other possible routes for excelling in certain skills, thereby increasing their chances of securing employment. It is envisaged that ETC personnel will be in direct contact with head teachers to identify such cases and offer them the chance to enrol on the programme.

I compliment the board and staff at the ETC for their sterling service and trust that such a programme will deliver the desired results. On a personal level, I look forward to helping out not only as a Member of the European Parliament but also as an honest Maltese citizen who believes that this country can become a jewel in the crown of the European Union.

Mr Grixti is a Labour Party candidate in the forthcoming European Parliamentary election