The experience of Maltese movers in pursuit of alternative employment in Europe

Abstract

With Malta's entry in the European Union, people are not only considering job opportunities in the context of our nation but also opportunities that arise across Europe. The study evaluates in depth the experience of Maltese graduate workers that left Malta and started employment in another EU country. Ten semi-structured interviews were carried out with the aim of going through detailed personal accounts, for gaining a rare insight into what it is like to leave your country of residence and settle in another European country for work. More specifically it looks at the reasons for changing the place of residence, at the push and pull factors affecting job mobility in Malta, at the information needed at this stage, at the recruiting process used, at barriers and challenges identified for settling in a host-country, at aspects that got better or worse in their lives after mobility, at the effects the experience had - on movers and end with recommendations to career guidance services targeted for this population. Those interviewed were all driven by the quest of better career opportunities, less so by a better salary and a will to start from scratch. This experience proved to be challenging yet satisfying. Interviewees identified big career leaps accompanied with heightened self confidence and self-esteem. The social sphere seems to be the biggest hurdle. Many admit difficulties in integrating and in coping with the loss of the primary social network. Several suggestions were put forward for career guidance service. All suggestions point towards a preventive service with research available on this targeted population and offering individual or group counseling for assisting in the decision making process ; an informative service with staff in possession of educational, vocational, professional equivalence information, bureaucratic procedures, taxation systems etc. and a developmental service with staff providing assistance in exploring the different markets and in preparing them with skills and knowledge for increasing their employability in such markets.