National Skills Council

AI is evolving faster than ever and the latest insights from Stanford University ’s 2026 AI Index Report prove it.

From powerful new models and booming open-source ecosystems to the massive infrastructure behind AI (and its growing environmental impact), the world of AI research & development is accelerating at an unprecedented pace.

Some eye-opening highlights:
🔹 Over 90% of notable AI models now come from industry
🔹 Global AI compute capacity is skyrocketing
🔹 Open-source AI projects have reached millions
🔹 But transparency is decreasing as models become more advanced

At the same time, the global race is heating up, with China leading in research output while the U.S. still dominates in cutting-edge models.

If you're curious about where AI is headed, and the forces shaping it, this is a must-read 👇
Dive into R&D insights: https://hai.stanford.edu/ai-index/2026-ai-index-report/research-and-development

Explore the full report: https://hai.stanford.edu/ai-index/2026-ai-index-report

The future of work is being discussed in Stockholm this week.

National Skills Council representatives are participating in the Future Talent Summit 2026, organised by the Future Talent Council and bringing together experts, employers, educators and policymakers from around the world.

For us, this is also an important step in preparing for the Future Talent Forum Malta – SkillScape Global. An event hosted in Malta this September by the National Skills Council and the Future Talent Council, in collaboration with the Institute for Education (IFE), the University of Malta and MCAST.

The ideas being shared, the connections being made and the conversations taking place in Stockholm today will soon continue in Malta.

What makes events like these special is the opportunity to learn from people with different experiences, perspectives and solutions. It is a chance to exchange ideas, challenge assumptions and explore how countries and organisations are responding to a rapidly changing world.

This September, Maltese professionals, educators, employers and policymakers will have the opportunity to be part of those conversations and engage directly with international experts and peers right here in Malta.

Interested in joining the discussion?

Register your interest today.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScCgn_grpFkVuoM5oDj3VBKaZoRnfFImJMHPs31gitWqvcIBw/viewform

How do other countries showcase vocational skills?

During the visit to Skopje, our team had the opportunity to closely follow North Macedonia’s National Skills Competition and engage directly with the educators and organisers behind this initiative.

What stood out most was the focus on celebrating young talent, dedication, and excellence. The event created a platform, which placed participants at the centre, celebrating not only technical ability, but also commitment, creativity, and pride in their skills.
This experience reinforced the importance of purpose and impact in delivering meaningful initiatives. More tangibly, it offered valuable insight into how national skills competitions can inspire young people, elevate vocational pathways, and strengthen the wider skills ecosystem.

A valuable learning experience as we continue to strengthen skills development in Malta and in our journey towards becoming members in WorldSkills Europe.

Introducing Your Career Journey, a learner-centred resource developed by the National Skills Council as part of the Emerging Careers Campaign.

Designed for learners, parents, educators and guidance practitioners, the resource helps users understand how trends like digitalisation, sustainability and demographic change are reshaping careers and skills.

Rather than focusing on a single career path, Your Career Journey promotes adaptable, future-ready skills, lifelong learning and informed decision-making through practical insights, case studies and reflective activities.

Learn more about this valuable resource and download your copy: https://nscmalta.gov.mt/blog/ncgn-24/your-career-journey-resource-booklet-70

Clayton Micallef Grimaud, Senior Director – Organisational Culture & Corporate Affairs, represented the National Skills Council at the Work-Based Learning Champion Conference organised by Knights College Malta.

The panel brought together perspectives from policy, education and industry, exploring how we can better align learning with the realities of the labour market. We discussed the growing importance of work-based learning in bridging the gap between education, policy and employer needs.

Encouragingly, that gap is narrowing. Stronger partnerships, meaningful workplace experiences and a shared focus on skills are helping ensure that learners are better prepared for the opportunities and challenges of the future of work.

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During the second National Career Guidance Network meeting of 2026,@ JA Malta shared insights from the Skills4Retail initiative and the importance of strengthening links between education, career guidance and industry.

As highlighted by Sara Akkary, investing in people, skills and collaboration is essential to building a more resilient retail workforce.

Among the key messages discussed:
• Retail careers need greater visibility within education and career guidance
• Stronger collaboration across stakeholders is needed to build sustainable systems that reflect Malta’s realities

Building stronger pathways between education and industry remains essential to preparing for the future of work.

For more information on the NCGN work please visit: https://nscmalta.gov.mt/career-guidance

Artificial Intelligence is advancing faster than ever… but can we really keep up?

What started as a breakthrough moment around 2012 has now become part of our everyday lives. From how we work and learn, to how we access information, AI is quickly shaping the world around us and is on track to become the most transformative technology of the 21st century.

From Research & Development all the way to Public Opinion, AI is increasingly seen as a trusted source of information worldwide.

Just released in April 2026, Stanford University has published the 2026 AI Index Report: a deep dive into AI’s growth, impact and the gaps we still need to address.

If you’re curious about where AI is heading, this is definitely worth a read 👇
https://hai.stanford.edu/ai-index/2026-ai-index-report

Image credit: https://www.facebook.com/StanfordHAI

Malta is returning to WorldSkills Europe .

This means stronger opportunities for international collaboration on skills, vocational excellence and future workforce development, ensuring Malta remains connected to conversations and initiatives shaping the skills of tomorrow.

The initiative is being driven by the National Skills Council, which will serve as Malta’s official representative within WorldSkills Europe and support future participation in European partnerships, initiatives, and skills competitions. The membership was formally ratified during the WorldSkills Europe General Assembly 2026 in Helsinki, Finland.

Representing Malta on this occasion were Glorianne Cachia, Director-Policy & Technical Affairs at the National Skills Council and Stephen Sammut, Deputy Principal at MCAST.

For the detailed news item visit: https://nscmalta.gov.mt/blog/general-news-1/malta-confirmed-as-member-of-worldskills-europe-72

Edukazzjoni |

“Feeling very grateful for the opportunity provided by the National Skills Council to attend the Cedefop Forum held in Thessaloniki on 12–13 May.

The forum focused on the new lifelong guidance framework and brought together professionals and experts from different countries to share experiences, ideas and best practices. The panel discussions were particularly inspiring, offering valuable insights into the innovative tools and strategies being used across Europe.

It was a rewarding and enriching experience that highlighted the importance of collaboration in shaping the future of lifelong guidance.”

Maria Pulis – Senior Administrator (Skills Policy)