Jobs are being created. But where are the careers?

We talk about employment reaching record levels and our economy continuing to grow, and while these are important achievements, the numbers alone do not tell the whole story.

What kind of jobs are we creating, and what kind of future do those jobs offer?

Work is about far more than a contract, working hours and a salary at the end of the month. It is a major part of our lives. It gives us the means to live with dignity, support ourselves and our families, pursue our ambitions and look towards the future with confidence.

That is why, when we talk about Malta’s labour market, we cannot focus only on how many people are working. We must also ask whether the jobs being created provide security, progression, better wages, new skills and a genuine career path.

Malta has made important progress in bringing more people into the world of work. But every success creates a new challenge. Our challenge today is no longer simply to create more jobs. It is to build an economy where people can grow through the work they do. We want to create better jobs. We want to create careers.

A career should mean having a path forward; starting a job today with a clear sense of where it can lead tomorrow. It means access to training, opportunities to develop new skills, greater responsibility and genuine prospects for progression. And as people grow in skills and experience, they should also have the opportunity to improve their income and their quality of life.

This is particularly important for young people. Those who study, train and gain qualifications should be able to see a future in Malta. We should not accept a situation where young people stay simply because they have no other choice. We need an economy that gives them a reason to stay, one where they can develop their talents, build careers and achieve their ambitions here at home.

This is where skills and training become essential. Training should not be seen as a cost to be cut when times are difficult. It is an investment, in workers, in businesses and in Malta’s long-term competitiveness.

We should encourage quality workplace training, apprenticeships and lifelong learning. The world of work is changing constantly, and the skills needed today may not be the skills needed tomorrow.

Technology, automation and artificial intelligence are already changing the way we work. We should embrace these developments as an opportunity, but we must also make sure that workers have the skills and tools they need to adapt and benefit from them.

We should not build an economy where workers fear change. We should build one where workers are prepared for it.

But there is a fundamental principle we cannot forget—more skills must lead to more opportunities. If workers gain experience, develop their skills and become more productive, there should be a clear path to progression.

We should not create a labour market where people remain in the same position for years without meaningful opportunities to develop. This is also in the interests of employers.

Businesses that invest in their people build stronger teams, retain talent and become more competitive. Good employment policy should therefore create an environment where workers and employers can both succeed.

If Malta is to remain competitive, we cannot base our economic model on keeping labour costs as low as possible. We need to compete on quality, skills, innovation and productivity. And when productivity grows, we must also ask how the benefits of that growth reach workers.

A strong economy is also measured by its impact on people’s lives; the wages they take home, the time they have for their families, the opportunities they have to progress and the confidence they have in their future. This is the labour market I believe we should be building.

Not everyone wants to run a company or become a manager. But everyone should know that their work has value and that they have the opportunity to grow.

Ultimately, when we talk about jobs, we are talking about people. And when we talk about the future of our economy, we are talking about the future of our families.

Workers should be able to look at their workplace and see not only a salary, but a future. Our goal should be to have more people building careers, building better lives and building a future they can believe in.