Malta partners in EU project on work-based learning
Project seeks to develop tools and policies to improve the link between education and the world of work
Malta is participating in a new EU-funded project aimed at bridging the gap between education and the realities of the labour market.
The Work-Based Learning (WBL) Champion Project, funded through the Erasmus+ programme, aims to redesign education pathways by providing students with stronger opportunities to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings.
The project will propose ways to equip graduates not only with theoretical expertise but also with practical skills such as problem-solving, communication, teamwork, and resilience, all attributes increasingly demanded by employers.
In a statement, the WBL Champion consortium, led by VITECO SRL of Italy, together with KNIGHTS COLLEGE in Malta, INOVA+ in Portugal, and TU Dublin in Ireland, said it has set out an ambitious programme of goals.
These include an in-depth analysis of EU and national work-based learning regulations in the four countries, the development of a new quality assurance methodology, the launch of a digital platform providing free courses, resources, and tools to support WBL implementation, and the introduction of continuous professional development courses for educators and employers.
The project will also pilot new micro-credentials and will conclude with a European WBL conference to be held in Malta on May 28, 2026.
“Malta has a strong legislative base supporting work-based learning,” said Morgan Parnis, CEO of KNIGHTS COLLEGE.
“But this project is about making those frameworks meaningful in practice, ensuring that our graduates are not only academically qualified, but also fully equipped with the skills that employers truly value.
”Adding the European perspective, Nadja Dokter from VITECO said: “Work-based learning is one of the keys to bridging Europe’s skills gap. Through this project we are building practical, scalable tools that can be shared across countries to benefit students, employers and educators alike.”
By creating open-access tools, best practice models and a European community of practitioners, the WBL Champion project will provide a lasting resource for educators, employers and policymakers across Europe.
For more information and to sign up for project updates, visit the WBL Champion website.