Malta is developing a new National Skills Strategy and Action Plan to respond to changing labour-market needs. The strategy was developed by the National Skills Council within the Ministry for Education and Sport, together with the OECD, with support from the European Union through the Technical Support Instrument and in cooperation with the European Commission. The OECD published its report on 9 July 2026 . 

The strategy addresses changes such as digitalisation, the green transition and demographic change. It aims to improve the skills system and ensure that people develop skills that are relevant to the labour market. 

• The OECD proposes 30 recommendations across eight priority areas:

• Better identification of skills needs: establish a Malta Skills Observatory and improve national and sectoral skills forecasting and anticipation.

• Better skills information and career guidance: develop a centralised skills intelligence platform, introduce a regular Employment and Skills Barometer and strengthen lifelong career guidance.

• Future-ready educators and school leaders: strengthen professional development, leadership and competency frameworks and improve the attractiveness of the teaching profession.

• Future skills for learners of all ages: further develop digital, green and transversal skills, strengthen vocational education and training (VET), and expand opportunities for non-formal and informal learning.

• Greater participation in adult learning: promote lifelong learning, introduce stronger incentives for participation and improve recognition of prior and non-formal learning.

• More workplace learning: support employers, particularly SMEs and micro-enterprises, to provide training and develop skills within the workplace.

• Better use of available talent: strengthen management and innovation capabilities, improve recognition and certification of skills, and address issues such as brain drain.

• Stronger governance: improve co-ordination among government, education and training providers, employers and other stakeholders, supported by robust monitoring and evaluation. 

The Action Plan sets out timelines, responsibilities, indicative costs and possible funding sources for implementing the recommendations. It also includes three implementation phases and a framework for monitoring progress.

The OECD has also developed a sectoral skills strategy for Malta’s maritime sector. It includes five strategic recommendations and ten actions and shows how national skills priorities can be applied at sector level.

Overall, the proposed strategy provides Malta with a more integrated and forward-looking framework for skills development, linking education and training more closely with labour-market needs and lifelong learning. It also complements wider national priorities, including Malta Vision 2050 and the Smart Specialisation Strategy.

For more information: OECD – A National Skills Strategy and Action Plan for Malta, National Skills Strategy | National Skills Council

Source: Eurydice Unit Malta