There is a strong link between illiteracy and unemployment, this was remarked on during a conference about the promotion of inclusion through adult literacy organised by the Employment and Training Corporation (ETC).

ETC statistics show that as at the end of May 2008, 14% of jobseekers were illiterate (17% of all male jobseekers and 3% of all female jobseekers). This is a decrease of 3% from the rate of three years ago. Illiteracy is most common among those in the 45 to 54 age bracket. Although the data shows that illiteracy is more prevalent among those mentioned, it is found across all ages. The illiteracy rate of registering jobseekers aged under 30 stands at 7.6%.

Since there is a strong link between literacy and employment, the Corporation has embarked on a number of projects to improve the literacy levels of those seeking employment and others who applied for such courses. Between May 2007 and May 2008, ETC trained 844 persons in literacy. The largest number of participants was within the 25 - 39 age bracket. Many of these persons had this opportunity thanks to the funds provided to ETC under the European Social Fund (ESF) to train illiterate jobseekers and equip them with the basic literacy skills they need to enter the labour market.

ETC provides literacy training in various localities, including its training complex in Hal Far and the Jesuits' Paolo Freire Institute in Zejtun. Joseph Cutajar, Senior Manager at the ETC Training Services Division said that the Corporation is also collaborating with employers to be able to provide training to address illiteracy at the place of work.

Lynn Carpenter, Senior Assistant Director of the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE), which promotes adult learning across the UK, spoke about her organisation's experiences in training persons in reading and writing. Ms. Carpenter said that some of the challenges faced by NIACE were the need to co-ordinate a national strategy on the issue, increase the pool of qualified professionals who teach in this area, develop a comprehensive range of age-appropriate teaching material, develop nationally recognised tests and qualifications for learners, and improve the measures to record learners' progress and achievement. Ms. Carpenter concluded that an emphasis should be made on the quality and professionalism of trainers in this area.

Speaking during the discussion, Prof. Peter Mayo from the University of Malta spoke about the challenge of eradicating the negative stigma which society attributes to illiterate persons, and to prevent the exclusion of such persons from active citizenship. Prof. Mayo said that society needs to focus more on measures to motivate these people, since motivation is key to success. Albert Friggieri, General Manager of ProMinent Ltd., a German factory employing 100 people in Malta, was invited to share the experiences of his company in this regard. Mr. Friggieri explained the training in literacy being offered to the company's employees, thus showing the importance of lifelong learning and in the re-training of workers. The company offers literacy training free of charge to its employees during and after working hours.

Sandro Spiteri, Principal of St. Margaret's College, spoke about the various initiatives undertaken by a number of public entities like the Foundation for Educational Services, the Adult Education Section within the Directorate General of the Education Division and ETC. Mr. Spiteri emphasized that education should be delivered at community level and within the newly established Colleges.

Felix Borg, General Manager of ETC, closed the conference. Mr. Borg said that basic skills training providers should build on the strengths of learners. Training should be delivered to cover one milestone at a time so that learners achieve success and build up the courage to continue to learn. Mr. Borg welcomed the ideas put forward for more networking between basic skills training providers.

This conference was supported by the European Social Fund of the European Union - ESF 18 Literacy Programme for Persons Seeking Employment.