Government launches national training programme for local government workers

The government has launched a national, structured and long-term training programme for people working in and providing services through local government for the first time.

As part of the initiative, an EU co-financed project is also investing more than €600,000 in online training opportunities, both in Malta and abroad, aimed at strengthening the skills and capabilities of people working in the sector.

The initiative was officially launched during a conference marking a new vision for professional development in local government. The conference was attended by Local Government and Public Works Minister Alison Zerafa Civelli, along with mayors and executive secretaries from Malta and Gozo's local councils.

The vision was developed following a comprehensive analysis of the sector's needs and an assessment of European best practices. It will provide training opportunities for mayors, councillors, executive secretaries, council and association employees, as well as officials within the Local Government Division.

Zerafa Civelli said the initiative demonstrated the government's commitment to strengthening local government not only through increased resources and investment, but also by investing in the people who serve Maltese and Gozitan communities every day.

"When we invest in the skills and professionalism of people working in local government, we are directly investing in the quality of service received by citizens and in the future of our communities," she said.

"This is a government that believes in local government and is giving it the tools to continue growing, evolving and providing an ever-better service to people," she added.

Robert Tabone, a director within the Local Government Division, said the programme was the result of an extensive consultation process and analysis of the sector's training needs carried out by the division in collaboration with the Council of Europe's Centre of Expertise for Multilevel Governance and MCAST.

The process identified a need for more structured and specialised training, leading to the development of the National Local Government Training Strategy and the establishment of the National Local Government Training Council.

The work was also supported by study visits to Poland, France and Norway, where European models of training, professional development and local governance were examined and used to inform the programme's development.

The National Training Council has already delivered a number of initiatives, including professional development programmes for executive secretaries, programmes for people interested in taking up the role in the future, and training for mayors on chairing and leading council meetings. These initiatives attracted strong participation.

Through an EU co-financed project under the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), more than €600,000 is being invested to provide people working in the sector with access to national, international and online training.

By August, almost 100 people had already received direct assistance, representing an investment of close to €200,000.

The conference was also addressed by Council of Europe expert Brian Cawley, who played a key role in developing the national training strategy, and by Claudia Luciani, director of the Congress of the Council of Europe.

In his closing address, Permanent Secretary Emil Vassallo stressed the importance of everyone with a role in the sector taking advantage of the opportunities being offered.

He said the skills gained through the programme would help participants provide a better service to their communities.

The initiative places investment in people at the heart of efforts to strengthen local government, with the aim of creating a stronger, more professional local government system capable of responding effectively to the needs of Malta and Gozo's communities