Graduates on the Malta labour market : trends and implications

Abstract

No less than 1,250 persons graduated from the University of Malta in 1995. This is an absolute record for our country, and one which looks like being sustained over the coming years. Not so long ago, in 1988, there were only 250 university graduates. At face value, the 500% increase in 7 years is all but good news for a country desperately trying to upgrade its human resource stock. The U-turn in education policy encouraging the pursuit of post-secondary education, as against a strict attempt at linking further studies to predetermined vocational destinations, is defin'ite1y attracting many to Tal-Qroqq. The University of Malta's student population, Junior College and all, is now close to 8,000. Some 60 different degree, diploma or post-graduate courses are on offer, from 10 Faculties and 18 Institutes and Centres. The gender ratio between male and female students is now practically 1: 1. The very rapid increase in numbers has, however, a number of implications which call for attention, debate and possible action. The first effects have already been felt on the campus itself. The lack of lecturing space, limited library facilities and resources, the demand for more lecturing staff, the expansion of curricula ... These have already met with some response in terms of recruitment, new and upgraded facilities and classrooms, new departments and institutes to cater for new disciplinary and interdisciplinary areas of knowledge. The second wave of effects are even now being felt by the world of work. Is the change in the quantity and quality of graduate 'product' having any effects on the labour market? If yes, of what kind? Are graduates-turned-employees finding the right dose of challenge, enough space for initiative, a proper utilisation of their expertise, a satisfying programme of training and development? Are the employers of graduate workers content with their investment in the Tal-Qroqq 'product' in terms of, for example, flexibility and dependability? Would graduate employees and their employers have recommendations to make to the tertiary education institution about its courses, its manner of instruction, the balance between theory and practice, the development (or the absence thereof) of specific skill and aptitude promotion? In this article, I will first highlight the results of a recent research project which sought precisely to explore the connection between the University and the graduate labour market in Malta. The exercise has been carried out by the Workers' Participation Development Centre (WPDC) of the University of Malta, on behalf of the Foundation For Human Resources Development (FHRD), the Employment and Training Corporation (ETC) and the University of Malta itself. I will then go to discuss some of the implications of the results in the context of the contemporary socio-economic set up in Malta. This will incorporate some recommendations as to what policy issues appear to demand urgent consideration by decision makers, both in the industrial as well as the educational sphere.