Planning Authority awarded Vocational Education and Training Charter

The Planning Authority has been awarded the Vocational Education and Training (VET) Charter valid for the Erasmus+ Programme 2017-2020. Apart from the prestige which goes with this Charter, certifying the Planning Authority’s success in lifelong learning programmes, this award will result in a simplified application procedure for all Erasmus+ Mobility projects for the period 2017-2020.

The VET Charter was launched by the European Commission for the accreditation of bodies that have a proven track record in organising VET mobil- ity for learners and staff. The Planning Authority has been participating in the Lifelong Learning Programme and Erasmus+ for a number of years, with the first Lifelong Learning Programme dating back to 2004. Thanks to these projects, the Authority has sent a number of officers to carry out job shadowing placements in a number of European countries including France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Austria and Germany. On their return, the employees acted as multipliers, sharing the knowledge gained with the rest of their teams through structured feedback and dissemination. In this way, the Authority ensures that the benefits gained from all projects are fed directly into practice in Malta, translating into a perceivable change in the way everyday tasks are carried out.

The Authority carries out strategic planning for the professional development of its staff, taking into account individual needs and its organisational objectives. It therefore provides various opportunities for training and lifelong learning to its staff in order to enhance im- proved career prospects. Having an efficient and trained workforce within the Planning Authority, has an impact on the land-use planning system in Malta, by further promoting efficient and high quality services for business and citizens.

To this end, the Authority has set up an ERASMUS+ Core Group consisting of officials from the Human Resources and the EU Affairs Units and designed a transnational mobility strategy covering the next five years until 2021. The Authority’s transnational mobility strategy is fourfold; it focuses on a reinforced network of international partners, the training needs of its staff, increased take up of mobility activities, and post assessment of such activities.

Cross fertilisation of ideas and direct hands-on training in different countries is deemed to be extremely beneficial to all participants involved in such initiatives and consequently to the Authority, as an organisation. It is the Planning Authority’s mission to further build institutional capacity in order to render a better regulatory service to the community.