MCAST turns to AI to tackle Malta’s skills gap

The Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) will work closely with the National Skills Council to help develop a national system for predicting changing skills requirements across Malta’s labour market, using artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics to forecast future demand across industries and sectors.

In its Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2026–2030, MCAST says the collaboration aims to develop accurate and comprehensive models to predict the skills that will be needed as the labour market evolves.

The initiative forms part of the college’s wider plans to integrate AI into education and strengthen links between training and employment requirements.

MCAST’s Vision Towards 2030 strategic plan proposes greater employer involvement in curriculum development, alongside apprenticeships, internships and work placements. It also sets out plans to expand short courses and micro-credentials in collaboration with industry.

According to the strategic plan, 66 per cent of full-time registered students followed programmes incorporating work-based learning through apprenticeships, placements or internships by 2025.

The plan also highlights transferable skills, including critical thinking, adaptability, digital fluency and entrepreneurship, in response to changing labour-market demands.

MCAST’s AI strategy includes professional development programmes to help academic staff integrate AI into teaching, as well as opportunities to develop AI knowledge among students across different disciplines. It also proposes using AI to improve student support and administrative processes.

The college’s wider strategic plan includes performance indicators and annual reviews to monitor progress. For work-based learning, proposed indicators include placement rates, employer ratings and student reflective outcomes.

The two strategies set out MCAST’s priorities towards 2030, with industry collaboration, work-based learning, staff development and AI integration among the measures intended to keep education responsive to changing skills requirements.

In the past few months, Malta had been experiencing a rise in unemployment and an even bigger rise in youth unemployment. Last September BusinessNow.mt spoke with economist Professor Philip von Brockdorff who highlighted that the rise in unemployment, especially among young people, is “somewhat of a concern as this probably reflecting low levels of qualifications and skills.”