Starting in May 2024, non-EU foreign workers seeking job opportunities in Malta’s tourism and hospitality sectors will face a new challenge: they must obtain a newly introduced skills certification, with individual certification costs reaching up to €475. This certification was initially scheduled to be implemented in January, but the date was postponed to May due to the need for further refinements and feedback from local hotel and restaurant associations, which requested more time to adapt to the new requirements.
The Maltese government officially announced in a recent press conference that this skills certification will become a mandatory requirement for non-EU foreign workers starting in May. To assist these workers in adapting to the new regulations, online courses will be available from April 8, covering various topics such as English conversation skills, customer service quality, hospitality knowledge, and insights into Malta’s tourism background.
Notably, these courses will utilize advanced artificial intelligence technology for instruction, meaning that staff in hotels, bars, restaurants, kitchens, as well as housekeeping and front desk positions, will be guided by AI instructors. After completing the online courses, participants will undergo an online verification interview, and only those who pass will receive the skills certification. Additionally, candidates must also obtain approval from Jobsplus (Malta’s employment service) and the Maltese police to secure a one-year work permit, further raising the bar for entering Malta’s tourism and hospitality sectors.
Recognizing that this new regulation may increase labor costs for local businesses, the Maltese government has announced a tax credit scheme to assist these enterprises in covering the costs of existing employees participating in skills certification training. This measure aims to alleviate financial pressure on businesses while ensuring that the quality of service in Malta’s tourism and hospitality industry is enhanced, ultimately providing a better experience for visitors.
As the Maltese government gradually implements these skills certification requirements for tourism and hospitality workers, by January 2025, all non-EU foreign workers already employed in the industry will also be required to complete this certification to renew their work permits. Furthermore, the government plans to extend this requirement to include all EU member states and local tourism and hospitality workers in Malta by January 2026, indicating that this policy will become a standard across the industry.
While this new policy may pose certain challenges for Malta’s tourism and hospitality sectors in the short term, such as increased hiring difficulties and rising operational costs, it is expected to significantly enhance the overall service quality of Malta’s tourism industry in the long run. By ensuring that all staff undergo professional training and certification, the government aims to guarantee that they possess the necessary language skills, customer service abilities, and in-depth knowledge of Malta’s tourism landscape, thereby providing visitors with a more professional and high-quality service experience.
After all, who wouldn’t want to enjoy high-quality service provided by more professional and service-oriented staff while traveling?
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