S.L. 607.2 Art. 5Sector Skills Committee. Cap. 431.

(1) In accordance with article 69(10) of the Act, the

Commission shall establish a Sector Skills Committee, the members of which shall be appointed by the Commission with the approval of the Minister for a period not exceeding three years and each member shall be eligible for re-appointment.

(2) The Sector Skills Committee shall be composed as follows:

(a) a Chairman;

(b) a member representing industry in general;

(c) a member representing education and training in general;

(d) a member representing employers;

(e) a member representing employees, nominated by the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development established by article 3 of the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development Act.

(3) The Sector Skills Committee shall formulate and develop the following:

(a) policies and procedures to govern the Sector Skills Units;

(b) criteria and standards for the validation of non-formal and informal learning;

(c) guidelines for the assessment of skills and competences for the purpose of the granting of awards by Sector Skills Units;

(d) guidelines for quality assurance in non-formal learning;

(e) occupational standards relevant to each economic sector; and

(f) sectoral qualifications frameworks referenced to the Malta Qualifications Framework, on a proposal of the Sector Skills Units: Provided that the instruments developed by the Sector Skills Committee under this sub-regulation shall require adoption by the Commission in order to be enforceable under these regulations.

(4) In the formulation, development and adoption of occupational standards as provided in sub-regulation (3), the Sector Skills Committee and the Commission shall have due regard to the use of occupational standards in enhancing curriculum development, specifying competences which workers need to possess, assisting in certifying workers, assisting employers to carry out skills audits, directing professional development within the workforce, facilitating the recruitment process, setting quality standards within sectors and occupations, facilitating the validation of non-formal and informal learning, enabling Government to determine skills’ capacity at a national level and promoting the mobility of workers across national borders.

(5) Without prejudice to its specific competences under these regulations, the Sector Skills Committee shall have the following functions and responsibilities:

(a) to generally advise the Commission on all matters related to the validation of non-formal and informal learning;

(b) on the advice of the Sector Skills Units, to establish, maintain and regulate the use of marks of distinction and of quality assurance in non-formal education, with the approval of the Commission;

(c) to promote the benefits of validation of non-formal and informal learning in Malta; and

(d) to set up a register of persons awarded full or partial awards classified within the Malta Qualifications Framework.

(6) The Sector Skills Committee shall meet as often as necessary and the quorum shall be three members, including the Chairman.

(7) In the absence of consensus, decisions of the Sector Skills Committee shall be taken by a majority of votes of the members present and voting; in the case of an equality of votes, the Chairman shall exercise a casting vote.

(8) Any vacancy among members of the Sector Skills Committee shall not invalidate the proceedings of the Committee.

(9) The Sector Skills Committee shall compile and send to the Commission, not later than four weeks after the end of each financial year, an annual report on its activities during that year, including the policies, functions and future plans of the Sector Skills Committee. Such report shall be integrated with the annual report to be compiled and sent by the Commission to the Minister in accordance with article 66 of the Act.