President's employment initiative seeks to assist disadvantaged youths

The Malta Federation of Organisations of Persons with Disability (MFOPD) and the Malta Association of Supported Employment (MASE) have signed a memorandum of understanding, solidifying their collaboration with the President’s Trust to assist disadvantaged youths in finding employment.

Through their work on the President’s Trust Employment Initiative – one of the first initiatives developed to support vulnerable youths in entering the labour market – the entities would be able to reach more young people coming from a wide array of vulnerable situations, the President’s Trust said.

MFOPD is the national umbrella organisation for the disability sector, which has worked incessantly to establish MASE, with the intention of having a professional supported employment structure in Malta.

According to the President’s Trust, supported employment has been shown to be an effective way for disadvantaged young persons to find and retain a job in the open market, supporting both employees and employers. 

The President’s Trust added that its mentoring system for young people remains an important component of the Employment Initiative. “Through this joint collaboration, job-coaching and skills-building may also be provided to young people who may require on-the-job training and guidance,” it said.

This is determined through an initial assessment and through one-to-one relationship building with the young persons and their families, depending on requirements.