HSBC Malta Foundation transforming young lives
An HSBC-sponsored youth empowerment programme, which supports young people to engage with and succeed in education, is now providing more young people with the opportunity to pave a bright future following its separate introduction at the Young Offenders Unit Rehabilitation Services and Agenzija Appogg.
In partnership with the Ministry for Education and Employment since 2015, the Prince’s Trust International programme, called Achieve, has already been introduced to over 34 schools and centres across the island and has supported over 300 young people to re-engage in education and build on core personal and employability skills.
The launch at Y.O.U.R.S. enables youngsters to work towards the Prince’s Trust Personal Development and Employability Skills qualification, which is recognised by the Maltese National Commission for Further and Higher Education. The minister for Home Affairs and National Security Michael Farrugia, the minister for Education and Employment Evarist Bartolo, HSBC Malta CEO Andrew Beane and senior officials from the Corradino Correctional Facility in Mtaħleb attended the launch.
Minister Farrugia stated that his ministry is currently in the process of introducing a reform strategy within the CCF, and said: “Young offenders need to be supported and be given the ability to rehabilitate themselves and be able to empower themselves before entering back in the community.”
Minister Bartolo stated that the worst kind of punishment is to deprive someone of hope: “This programme gives hope to a better future as not only does it provide the participants with skills but also opportunities.”
Beane said: “We are pleased to support the further expansion of the Achieve programme which is supporting young people across the country to make the most of their talents, irrespective of the challenges life can sometimes present.”
Meanwhile, the introduction of Achieve at Agenzija Appogg allows the national welfare agency to offer various units of the programme to youths as part of its services. The launch at Agenzija Appogg was attended by the minister for the Family, Children’s Rights and Social Solidarity Michael Falzon, minister Bartolo, HSBC Malta Executive Committee member Sonya Khosla and officials from various educational institutes.
Achieve supports young people aged 13 to 19 to re-engage and succeed in education. The programme enjoys the financial support of the HSBC Malta Foundation.