Each avenue serves as a vital conduit for individuals to gain real-world experience and refine their skills in preparation for their chosen careers.
When you bring an intern into your organisation, it is important to understand what this entails and what you need to submit to Jobsplus.
The terms “work placement”, “traineeship”, “internship” and “apprenticeship” have specific meanings, but their use can sometimes overlap. It is key to consider the context of your industry and the local laws in Malta when you are dealing with these roles.
Also, remember that the way these programs are run can change over time. It is advisable to check for the most up-to-date definitions and practices in Malta.
In Malta, individuals who are at least 16 years old and have finished their last year of secondary school, as required by the Education Act, are eligible for work placements, traineeships, internships and apprenticeships. This aligns with the standards set by the Education Act.
When enrolling an intern or work-placement student or trainee within your organization, it is important to first understand the nature of such arrangements. In line with the Work-Based Learning and Apprenticeship Act Chap.576, internships and work-placements are generally considered an extension of a student’s academic studies and are intended to support their learning and development.
Internships and work-placements:
Whether remunerated or non-remunerated, a tripart training agreement should be in place between the sponsor (employer), training provider/ educational institution that must be licensed by the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority[1], and the learner/interns/trainee (student). The provider should also retain a record of work placements and internships.
The sponsor (employer) is not required to submit Employment (Engagement and Termination) forms to Jobsplus for internships and work-placements. A tripart training agreement is mandatory where the placement does not constitute an employment relationship, meaning that it does not include employment conditions such as vacation or sick leave entitlements, National Insurance contributions, bonuses, or similar benefits. It is the responsibility of the employers (sponsors) to ensure that the tripart training agreement is properly in place and readily available should it be requested during compliance or inspection visits by competent authorities such as Jobsplus, DIER, OHSA, or others.
Third Country Nationals (TCNs):
TCN students on an internship/work-placement who hold a valid residence card are not required to be registered with Jobsplus.
1Likewise, where the placement does not constitute an employment relationship, Erasmus or other EU Mobility Programme students undertaking an internship/traineeship (including TCNs) are not required to be registered with Jobsplus. However, they are required to apply with Identità for a valid residence card/ VISA.
[1] For ease of reference, the list of licensed providers is available at the following link - https://qualifications.mfhea.gov.mt/#/institutions. Foreign educational/training institutions/providers are requested to communicate with MFHEA to obtain recognition/equivalency of the training programme in line with national standards.
