St Paul’s Bay in Malta played host to an international delegation of speakers and presenters at the inaugural International Vocational Education and Training Association (IVETA) Europe regional conference held from May 9 to 12, 2019.
The Tama Tnabar Association drum up a storm 
Dr Kenneth Vella introduces Maltese TVET history 
Dr Brenden Tempest-Mogg welcomes delegates to Malta.
The conference venue was the dB San Antonio Resort + Spa, which also provided a sumptuous buffet lunch on the main conference day. The Tama Tnabar Association drummed up a rousing start to the proceedings, and MBCSJS principal, Dr Kenneth Vella spoke about the history of vocational education in Malta from the Knights of St John til present day. IVETA Executive Director, Dr Brenden Tempest-Mogg, welcomed all the delegates to Malta and spoke about the association’s aims and activities.
Minister Evarist Bartolo discusses the way education should be. 
Dr Julian Ng challenged the delegates with the conference theme. 
Carmel Thompson presents an alternative teacher training idea.
Organised by Warnborough College and Mater Boni Consilii St Joseph School (MBCSJS) in Paola, the conference was opened by the Minister for Education and Employment, the Hon. Evarist Bartolo, MP, who talked about the importance of a holistic education for sustainable development, an inclusive society, and real world needs. The European Vice-President for IVETA, Dr Julian Ng, spoke on the conference theme of “Revaluing TVET” and challenged delegates to question their own TVET paradigms, before attempting to change the mindsets of other stakeholders.
Delegates packed the room and interacted with speakers. 
Coffee breaks were great opportunities for networking and friendship-bonding. 
Some of the happy delegates pose for photos.
Delegates came from countries such as Afghanistan, Australia, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Malaysia, the UK and the USA. Former IVETA President, Carmel Thompson, discussed the efficacy of TVET across borders and the idea of creating a special postgraduate TVET teacher training programme. Dr Maria Gruber from the Technical University of Munich spoke about the German government’s initiatives to recruit and reward TVET teachers especially for the engineering industries, while focusing on competencies as a learning mechanism.
Dr Chinyere Shirley Ayonmike talks about skills mismatch. 
Prof Patrick Egbule builds a bridge between agriculture and industry 
Dr Mupinga focuses on essential employability skills.
Dr Chinyere Shirley Ayonmike and her colleague, Prof Patrick Egbule, described the skills mismatch between what was taught at TVET institutions and what was actually required by industry. For the North American perspective, Dr Davision Mupinga from Kent State University championed the importance of soft skills to enhance employability, while Dr Julie Furst-Bowe from the Wisconsin Technical College System described the 10 essential components for building career pathways for over 300,000 learners. Soft skills were also espoused by Sally Marshall from the UK. Rumyana Shalamanova from Know and Can Association in Bulgaria presented two case studies of projects that were designed specifically to change VET teacher mindsets about teaching and learning.
Dr Maria Gruber talks about a revolutionary VET teacher training scheme in Germany 
Rumyana Shalamanova from Bulgaria presents two case studies of VET teacher training 
Dr Julie Furst-Bowe explains Wisconsin’s work-based learning programme.
The University of Malta fielded 3 speakers who provided a fascinating insight into the local TVET experience. Therese Camilleri spoke about apprenticeships and work-based learning programmes in Malta, before co-presenting with Dr Leonard Busuttil on the challenges of revamping TVET through teacher training. Professor Suzanne Gatt delivered a searing speech on the conference theme about creating permeability between the TVET sector and tertiary education, and the need for mutual trust.
Therese Camilleri talks about the apprenticeship process. 
Dr Leonard Busuttil presented a co-authored document on melding education to work. 
Prof Suzanne Gatt gave a searing speech about the need for tertiary institutions to work with industry.
MCAST CEO, Prof Joachim James Calleja, opined that schools and industries should work more closely together, as the worlds of work and education merge into one. His colleague, Dr Joseph Falzon, introduced delegates to the concept of Industry 4.0, and the social challenges and benefits that we face as technology evolves.
The CEO of the NCFHE, Dr Rose Anne Cuschieri, spoke about the Malta Qualifications Framework (MQF) and the importance of accreditation and validation of non-formal and informal learning.
Prof Joachim James Calleja, CEO of MCAST, talks about merging the worlds of work and education 
Dr Rose Anne Cuschieri talks about accreditation and the Malta Qualifications Framework 
Dr Frank Fabri explains the My Journey initative.
Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Education and Employment, Dr Frank Fabri, told delegates not to be afraid to change. He described the evolution of educational policy in Malta before elaborating on the My Journey initiative that has been rolled out across a network of Maltese schools. He stated that Malta is the only country within the EU whose Education ministry writes syllabi and curricula together with teachers.
Mr Alexander Pizzuto welcomes delegates to the Maria Regina College and the My Journey Initiative 
Maria Regina College students learn about animal husbandry and care as part of the ‘My Journey’ initiative 
Dirk Muscat explains the agriculture and horticulture initiatives for students to cultivate plants for food and beauty
Clint Attard showcases the photographic and film studio and the green screen 
My Journey students learn about various animals and their care, including fish and rabbits 
Michelle Abela describes how the healthcare section of the College functions
Delegates visited the impressive Maria Regina College in Mosta, to see how the My Journey initiative has been implemented. The idea behind this initiative is to bring together vocational and academic educational goals without separating them, to create rounded individuals rather than products of particular paradigms.
Dr Joseph Falzon signals the approach of Industry 4.0 and why we need to prepare for it 
Charles Micallef is honoured for bringing Malta and the UK together. 
Delegates enjoying the buffet lunch on the second day
Independent researcher, Mr Charles Micallef, was honoured for his linking of Malta with the United Kingdom, which led to the launch of this conference.
Delegates enjoyed music at the Mediterranean Conference Centre during the Malta Music Festival 
Some of the delegates who went on the tour of Mdina and Rabat 
Delegates listening to tour guide, Matthew Giordmaina, in front of the St Paul Church in Rabat
International delegates had the opportunity to partake in the Malta Music Festival courtesy of MBCSJS, and go on a tour of Mdina and Rabat. With ample time for networking and camaraderie, the conference was a great success and all international delegates left with great memories of the warm Maltese hospitality. Plans are underway for a follow-up IVETA conference in 2020.
Thank yous and acknowledgements go to:
The staff of Mater Boni Consilii St Joseph Paola School and Warnborough College, db San Antonio Resort + Spa, IVETA, staff and teachers of the Maria Regina College in Mosta, MCAST and its videographic students, and all our distinguished speakers.