A national conference on employment in the environmental sector in Malta was organised by the Employment and Training Corporation (ETC) as part of a European Social Fund project (ESF 37) managed by ETC. The conference helped to stimulate debate on the employment and training implications of developments in various aspects of the environment.

The conference was based upon a research study commissioned by ETC. The objective of this study is to map out developments tied to environment-related employment both in Malta in the light of international developments, especially in the European Union (EU). It is also aimed at assisting ETC to design employment schemes and training programmes that lead to green jobs, as well as the promotion and protection of the environment.

The study reviews the latest definitional and methodological issues for identifying and measuring the environmental goods and services (EGS) industry, in particular the EUROSTAT – OECD led initiatives in this field. It suggests a methodology which is best suited to our local circumstance and which conforms with EU requirements. The study then gives a comprehensive review of all the environment-related Acquis applicable to Malta. The review includes the most recent legislative and regulatory developments, with special reference to what has been transposed and implemented to date. Sector by sector, this exercise suggests the type of economic activity most related to the environmental field that would be demanded by industry and households, to conform with EU directives. The exercise shows that the new obligations on households and industry would be creating new economic activity, demanding a stream of sectoral employment profiles. These, in turn, need to be evaluated in terms of their make-up.

The study then reports the results of a country-wide survey aimed to quantify the size and nature of the Maltese environmental goods and services industry, as it stands today. It finds that like other more advanced countries the industry is fast establishing itself and would expect to reach the same labour force proportions as these countries in the near future. At present the local industry employs about 3% of the national labour force and contributes about 2% of the GDP.

The current rate of employment growth of the industry is an average of 6% per annum. The major sectors are liquid and solid waste management, and water supply. The final chapter suggests the adaptation of existing employment and training schemes to meet these environmental requirements.

The study was conducted by Prof. Edward Scicluna who gave an overview of the findings to the public present at the conference. The conference was also addressed by Robert Strauss, Head of Unit, European Employment Strategy of the European Commission, and Dr Godwin Cassar, Director General of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority. Representatives of the GWU, UM, FOI, MEA and MCAST took part in a panel discussion. The conference was opened by the Minister for Social Policy, the Hon. John Dalli MP.

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