Lifelong learning is a concept that should be embraced by everyone, at every stage of their life. The presence of the Directorate of Lifelong Learning and Employability at this year’s Public Service Expo was particularly fitting, as the Expo focused on themes closely aligned with the Directorate’s mission. 

The event was held within the MFCC in Ta' Qali, between the 15th and the 19th of May 2024. This year, one of the main themes explored was the skills of public officials, with the main questions being: What skills are there at present and what skills are needed in a world that is always evolving? How will emerging technology be used to keep improving the service? The Public Service Expo also explored how the educational system will be coordinated to prepare the students of today, who will become tomorrow’s workforce. 

This is very much at par with the Lifelong Learning Strategy (2023-2030). Indeed, in the strategy document itself, the words of Mr. Matthew Vella, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research, and Innovation, are highly fitting within this context: “When a mature person continues to receive training, they are increasing their chances to improve the quality of their life and those around them.”  Now of course, workers in the public service dedicate their career towards delivering good service to the public. When they embrace lifelong learning, they ensure that the service they provide is consistently updated, of superior quality, and well-informed.

Therefore, the presence of the Directorate at the Public Service Expo can be explored from two perspectives this year: the Directorate as being part of the public service itself, and the Directorate as having a role in ensuring that people over the age of 15 are constantly and consistently learn throughout their lives and careers.  The second pillar of the Lifelong Learning Strategy focuses on diversifying the methods and opportunities for learning. This is crucial for adult learners, especially those already engaged in the public sector and therefore already employed. 

Let’s face it: life sometimes interferes with adults' aspirations and their ability to attend traditional classes. The strategy specifically states that ‘the likelihood that adults engage in learning activities actively increases when they are given options to decide when, where, how often, and for how long they may wish to learn.’ For this reason, by increasing and promoting different methods of learning such as informal, non-formal, community and work-based learning, as well as the use of modern technologies, adults will have the essential flexibility they need to learn.

To get this message across, the Lifelong Learning team engaged with the public throughout the duration of the event, providing detailed information on the different courses on offer and guiding attendees on how to apply for the upcoming intake period. The stand was designed to be inviting and informative and visitors were greeted with copies of the prospectus and the National Lifelong Learning Strategy. The team were also readily available to answer any sorts of questions, creating an environment where attendees felt comfortable exploring their interests and discussing their specific needs and requirements.

The public was informed about the independent guidance service, which provides free career sessions to anyone residing in Malta, irrespective of age, nationality, or employment situation. Career and education guidance focuses not on providing information about courses, but on discovering the best career path or course selection based on the individual's skills, attitudes, areas of interest, and experiences. In fact, many who benefit from the guidance services go on to enroll in courses at other institutions based on the advice provided.

Interestingly, at the Public Service Expo, people were asking all sorts of questions: from those related to specific subjects, to questions based on logistical information. Most of all, most adults that visited the Lifelong Learning stand were curious to learn about flexibility, often stating that it would be a great relief for them if they could have mixed methods of learning. In fact, apart from offering in-person courses that one can attend physically, the Directorate also offers online classes in both live format (synchronous learning) and self-paced classes (asynchronous learning). 

An online live course requires students to log in at a specific time and participate in live, real-time lectures and discussions with their educators and other course participants. On the other hand, self-paced learning means that there are no set meeting times, and learners can complete the course material at their own pace and on their own time. These flexible ways of learning were explained in detail to many interested attendees, helping them understand the benefits of both approaches and how they can tailor their learning experience to fit their schedules and preferences.

Another notable feature provided by the Lifelong Learning team at their stand at the Public Service Expo was a series of showcases presented by various educators. These sessions offered attendees a glimpse into the wide variety of subjects available through the Directorate’s programs. The schedule included courses on different languages, photography, subjects related to the culinary world, artistic skills, and more, giving attendees a comprehensive overview of the diverse learning opportunities on offer. 

At the Public Service Expo, the Directorate for Lifelong Learning was alongside the Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disability (CRPD) and the Directorate for Local Government. Throughout the year, both entities collaborate closely with the Directorate to enhance accessibility: whilst the CRPD ensures that learning methods are inclusive, the Directorate for Local Government ensures that courses are offered in the communities where residents live. The Lifelong Learning stand was part of the larger Ministry for Education exhibit, where other entities and directorates were also represented, such as the University of Malta, MCAST, Esplora and the National Skills Council, to name a few. 

This was a great opportunity for the Directorate for Lifelong Learning to showcase its initiatives and to encourage individuals from all walks of life to pursue continuous learning. This not only allows individuals to enhance themselves but also contributes to improving the quality of service provided by the public sector.