Quality education, social cohesion and active labour market policies. A case study from a Southern European island state

Abstract

Societies can benefit from the delivery of inclusive education, lifelong learning as well as from active labour market policies. Therefore, this paper reviews the relevant literature on the provision of quality education for social cohesion. Afterwards, it analyses the latest socioeconomic policies that are being implemented in the smallest European island state of Malta. The findings suggest that the Maltese Government’s labour market policies are increasingly targeting vulnerable individuals who are not in employment, education or training, including women and migrant workers, among others. At the same time, the policy makers are striving in their endeavours to attract more students in higher and vocational education to reduce the number of early school leavers. In conclusion, this contribution implies that the pursuit towards continuous improvements in quality education and in social cohesion can create a virtuous cycle of productivity outcomes, including job creation and societal well-being.