The Malta Skills Survey Preliminary Results publication based on reference year 2022, has been released by the National Statistics Office.

Skills covered within the survey were grouped into eight broad categories. The most common skills categories, meaning the categories where at least one skill was identified by the target population, were computing (78.5%), communication and collaboration (70.6%) and assistance and care (65.6%).

The survey found that skills within the agriculture, fishing and related skills category were more common in Gozo, with the proportion reporting at least one skill being higher than that for the total overall population.

Within the category of artistic and creative skills, sports was the most common skill among the youngest segment of the population (15 to 24 years), whereas culinary abilities were the most common among those aged over 25 years.

It noted that skills within the category of construction and related skills were most common among the older section of the male population.

The survey found that almost half of all males in the target population identified at least one skill in the tools, machinery and related skills category. The share for females was much lower (15.4%).

Almost 75% of all females selected at least one assistance, care and related skill. The share was much lower for males at 58.4,the NSO said.

Within the category of communication and collaboration, problem solving was the most common skill among those between the age of 15 and 24 years (37.7%).

The most common information and related skill within the population was gathering information from physical or electronic sources (24.6%).

Over three fourths of the total target population reported having basic computer skills (76.8%).

With regards to language skills:

The most common languages understood by the target population were English (96.0%), followed by Maltese (90.4) and Italian (62.0%).

The survey found that knowledge of the Italian and Arabic languages was more common among persons aged 25 years and over, while knowledge of the French and German languages was prevalent among the 15 to 24 age group.

The share of the population reporting advanced reading and writing skills in Maltese was much lower when compared to listening and speaking ability.

The survey noted that an advanced level of proficiency in both Maltese and English was more common among females when compared to males in all four language areas.

Younger persons were more likely to report an advanced level of knowledge in one of the four language areas when compared to their older aged counterparts.

File photo: Gozo News/Alain Salvary

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