12
The Malta Independent | Thursday 12 November 2015
eSkills for employment in Malta
W
ith the transformation of the economy through globalisation and the digital revolution, the demand for eSkills has been growing rapidly. People looking for jobs must have the relevant eSkills to compete in the marketplace. Nevertheless, a number of eSkills shortages, gaps, mismatches, as well as persistent digital divide are affecting productivity, growth, competitiveness, innovation, employment and social cohesion in Europe. Malta, like any other EU country needs to secure a sufficient professional eSkills base and to enable citizens to strengthen their eSkills in a process of effective lifelong learning. The eSkills Malta Foundation, the National Coordinator of a European wide eSkills campaign spanning 2015/2016 is working together with the Government, industry and stakeholders to promote the EU eSkills strategy to fill digital skills shortages, gaps and mismatches and promote the adoption of best practices, tools and solutions, foster eLeadership and ICT professionalism. The main focus of the campaign, which is running in 21 European countries, is to raise awareness of the education, training, jobs, and
“
“
other opportunities that are available to people with eSkills – those who know how to effectively use digital technologies. The participating countries are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and the UK. The Foundation is delivering a programme of events and communications activities to inform students, unemployed persons, ICT professionals and SMEs about the vast range of opportunities that ICT related jobs present. The main aim of the campaign is to raise awareness of the need for citizens to improve their command of information and communication technology (ICT) skills for work. It is a response to the growing demand for ICTskilled professionals which is currently not met. Employers are constantly struggling to find employees with the right ICT competencies for positions across the
The Malta Launch of a Green Paper for a National Cyber Security Strategy Independent Keith Cilia-Debono
eSkills are vital for professionals working in small to medium size companies
board and many students entering the market are unaware of the huge range of ICT jobs available in different industries, ranging from designers of games to programmers. Europe, including Malta might face a shortage of up to 825,000 ICT professionals by 2020, risking its potential for growth, social cohesion and digital competitiveness. The demand for ICT professionals is always on the rise, but the number of people
graduating in computer studies, maths, science, technology and engineering are actually falling across Europe. eSkills are vital for professionals working in small to medium size companies, for youth and the unemployed looking to enter the workforce. They are also important for companies that need a highly skilled workforce. At this point in time, eSkills are more crucial than ever to help get Europe’s economy back on its feet. People with strong eSkills will also play a central role in making Malta an innovative and competitive environment. For more details about the campaign activities can be found by visiting the official central e-Skills campaign website http://eskills4jobs.ec.europa.eu/ and the Malta eSkills Foundation website on www.eskills.org.mt
13
The Malta Independent | Thursday 12 November 2015
Dr Keith Cilia-Debono, B.Sc. (Maths & Computing), M.B.A. (Henley), D.B.A. (Maastricht)
M
alta is increasingly dependent upon the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), to the extent that its disruption may affect service, business and potentially, everyday life. Inherently, the technology, its constituent elements, the data it carries, as well as its users, which together constitute cyber space - are far from perfect. Cyberspace is thus at risk of vulnerabilities, some of which involve genuine human error, whilst others are exposed to malicious intent. Hence the need for cyber security, that ensures the safety, confidentiality, integrity and availability of cyberspace. Addressing cyber security on a national scale essentially calls for a planned, collective and systemic approach, thus leading to the launch of a National Cyber Security Strategy. On Friday 30th October 2015, the Minister for the Economy, Investment and Small Business, Hon Dr. Chris Cardona launched a Green Paper for a National Cyber Security Strategy at the Malta Information Technology Agency (MITA) Data Centre at
ICT Feature
Santa Venera. MITA has been entrusted by Government, since February, with the development of the National Cyber Security Strategy, of which the Green Paper issued forms the initial stage of its establishment. Minister Cardona highlighted Government’s belief in having a comprehensive, strategic and concerted approach so as to ensure security within cyber space as well as to boost trust in the use of digital services and in ICT investment within the domestic economy. This is seen in the light of the increased proliferation in the use of ICT on a national level, the increasing economic importance of the technology as well as the envisaged use of emerging technologies. It is within such context that Government is inviting all national sectors to participate in the consultative process resulting from the launch of the Green paper. During the launch, MITA Executive Chairman Mr Tony Sultana
MITA Communications and PR Team
M
alta is increasingly dependent upon the use of Information and Communications Technology, to the extent that its disruption may affect service, business and potentially, everyday life. Last month Hon Dr. Chris Cardona launched a Green Paper for a National Cyber Security Strategy at
reiterated the need for a National Cyber Security Strategy also emanating from Digital Malta - the National Digital Strategy 20142020, as well as from MITA’s contribution to Government ICT Policy and infrastructure, online Public service and in further proliferation in the use of ICT within the wider economy, as outlined within the MITA Strategy 20142017. The Green Paper was defined by the Executive Chairman as the basis upon which Malta shall have its own National Cyber Security Strategy along with other European States, following a nationwide consultative process. The Green Paper addresses goals of strategic importance to cyber security namely, governance, risk management, education, awareness, legislation and cooperation on a national and on an international level. All six
goals, which are backed by twenty two proposed measures, aim to defend and protect the national information infrastructure and ultimately ensure the security, safety and protection of users of cyber space. It draws upon extensive research conducted on various published sources related to cyber security and on high level consultations. Whilst setting the stage for nation-wide feedback and consultation prior to the launch of the National Cyber Security Strategy, the Green Paper also aims to inculcate an awareness of cyber security, its extent and its implications which Malta needs to consider. Further details on the Green Paper, that is now open for feedback, can be found on http://www.konsultazzjoni.gov. mt Consultation events are also to be announced in due course.
the Malta Information Technology Agency (MITA) Data Centre. With the transformation of the economy through globalisation and the digital revolution, the demand for eSkills has been growing rapidly. People looking for jobs must have the relevant eSkills to compete in the marketplace. All ICT Features are available on www.mita.gov.mt/ictfeature