The skills pass for workers within the tourism and hospitality sector - a project headed by the Institute for Tourism Studies (ITS) - has been launched.

The aim is to ensure that employees in these sectors meet national minimum standards as recognised by key stakeholders throughout the project's public consultation process. Some of these minimum standards include the verification of an applicant's level of English proficiency, knowledge of their respective work, knowledge on the Maltese product, and basic knowledge about the Maltese islands.  The skills pass features seven levels, and through it, the local tourism and hospitality sector now has a guarantee that only quality workers will be recruited to work in the Maltese islands, government representatives said.

Present at the launch were Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri, Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo, representatives from ITS, and key stakeholders that spoke at the press conference announcing the launch on Monday.

ITS CEO Pierre Fenech said that the skills card is an important addition to improve and assure quality service within these sectors. While readily skilled foreign workers who are recruited into businesses in the Maltese islands from other EU and EFTA countries will automatically receive the skills pass, non-EU citizens will need to register for the skills pass online, purchase the necessary modules, and eventually obtain a working visa to enter Malta once they have verified that they are skilled.

For the many people who are not fully trained, but are assets in their service, the skills pass will allow them to recognise their skill level and obtain official recognition on this, it was said.

The available online modules will be taught by two AI avatars named Ryan and Clara respectively. These digital avatars will assist applicants in learning the necessary information before being tested to achieve the different levels of the skills pass. Workers within this industry can improve their skill level and receive certification for all seven levels should they wish to do so.

"It's good that we have nice buildings and all, but today we are understanding that it is essential to have well-trained staff. Otherwise, clients will be dissatisfied," he said. "It is important for these workers to be given their certification based on their respective levels." He continued that the second pillar for the implementation of this skills pass is "to make our industry more attractive, even to the local workforce."

While the first phase of achieving the skills pass includes online registration and initial tests on an applicant's skills, the second phase consists of scheduling a timeslot for a recorded online interview, through which they will receive instructions via e-mail. Applicants will not know what questions they will be asked until they have submitted all their details.

This application process can be done via smartphone or a standard computer and the verification process also includes that of the applicant's personal details. Applicants will be obliged to send an image of their passport as well as a picture of themselves, and if this identity verification is denied, they will be barred from proceeding any further. Their application process may also be halted if other details are not met as instructed.

Skills passes will be issued once-a-week for all completed applications that have also accomplished all verification processes.

Different candidates are eligible to come to the Maltese islands for short-term periods before applying for an extension, should they wish to do so. For the local hospitality sector, third country candidates may receive their skills pass and be valid to work for six months, free of charge.

EU citizens can register for internships within this industry in Malta. Granted by ITS, these internships can be valid for up to a full year. One can register for such an internship through the Skills Passport on the same platform, also free of charge.

English language teaching (ELT) students working in hospitality are eligible for a temporary pass valid for six months; this pass includes the required training. If these students wish to extend this pass, they must first complete the full course.

If an applicant fails their interview, they have the right to an appeal. The decision of an independent verifier will be final in this case. Granted single-year skills passes can be objected to by either JobsPlus or the Malta Police Force.

Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo called this project "one of the most important reforms conducted in the tourism sector."

Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri said that this initiative is based on two principles: to tackle cases of abuse by both employers and employees (foreign and Maltese), and to attract quality workers. After thanking Identità for their collaboration with ITS on this project, the minister said that the tourism sector is the first sector to heed the direction that potential workers who do not meet the required standards will not be allowed entry to work. "If they are not of the desired quality, they will not be allowed to work in this country," Minister Camilleri said.

He added that with the country's growing economy, it is intended for this standard-based entry into Malta to be required in other sectors too in the future.

The first phase of this project featuring the online courses and assessments will commence on 8 April 2024. The second phase - featuring the verification interviews - will commence on 6 May 2024. The requirement for the Skills Pass will become mandatory in May 2024 for new third country national workers. By January 2025, all tourism and hospitality workers working in the local industry and are seeking to renew applicable work permits are to apply for the Skills Pass. By January 2026, the requirement for the Skills Pass will extend to the remaining employees of the local industry, including EU/EEA/Maltese workers.

Minister Camilleri also said that for vacancies featuring indefinite contracts of at least two years, and an annual salary of less than €20,000, approved applicants will be allowed to contact Identità to come to the Malta for two years.