S.L. 607.4 Art. 5Sector Skills Committee.    Cap. 431.           S.L. 605.10.

(1) The National Skills Council shall establish a

Sector Skills Committee, with the approval of the Minister for a period not exceeding three (3) years and each member of such committee shall be eligible for re-appointment.

(2) The Sector Skills Committee shall be composed of the following:

(a) the Chairperson of the National Skills Council or his representative;

(b) one (1) member from the Authority;

(c) one (1) member representing industry in general;

(d) one (1) member representing education and training in general;

(e) one (1) member representing employers;

(f) one (1) 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;

(g) one (1) member representing Validation Assessment Centres;

(h) up to a maximum of two (2) additional members, at the discretion of the Minister, who may contribute to the work of the Sector Skills Committee.

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

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

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

(c) the guidelines for the assessment of skills and competences for the purpose of the granting of awards by the Validation Assessment Centres;

(d) contribute to the development of guidelines for quality assurance of non-formal learning together with the Authority; and

(e) occupational standards relevant to particular or multiple economic sectors:

Provided that the instruments developed by the Sector Skills Committee in accordance with this sub-regulation shall be adopted by the Authority to enable their enforcement in accordance with these regulations.

(4) In the formulation, development and adoption of INFORMAL LEARNING

occupational standards as provided in sub-regulation (3), the Sector Skills Committee, the National Skills Council and the Authority 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, creating a framework to enable employers to carry out skills audits, directing professional development within the workforce, setting quality standards across or 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 established in accordance with these regulations, the Sector Skills Committee shall have the following functions and responsibilities:

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

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

(6) The Sector Skills Committee shall meet as often as necessary and the quorum shall be four (4) members, including the Chairperson or his representative.

(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 Chairperson shall have 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 National Skills Council, by not later than four (4) weeks from 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 National Skills Council to the Minister in accordance with article 12 of the National Skills Council

(Establishment) Order.