HRH The Prince of Wales meets young people helped by Prince’s Trust International in Malta
HRH The Prince of Wales returned to Malta two years after launching Prince’s Trust International in Valetta on Thursday 5th October 2017.
His Royal Highness met with young people who have taken part in Prince’s Trust International programmes – delivered in partnership with the Ministry for Education and Employment in Malta, both supported and funded by HSBC Malta Foundation. The Get Into programme is also co-funded by employers.
During the visit several young people spent time talking with HRH The Prince of Wales about their experiences and showcased some of the work they had done on the Achieve programme, a personal development course which supports young people in secondary schools and centres to re-engage and succeed in education.
Andre, who took part in last year’s Achieve programme said:
“I’ve learnt skills like discussing, decision making, how to deliver a presentation and work as a team. I’ve learnt to be more confident especially infront of an audience and now I know how important it is to work within the community.”
His Royal Highness also met with other young people currently taking part in the Get Into programme, a unique, sector-specific training programme run in partnership with employers. The programme is being piloted on the island before being rolled out and is delivered in partnership with Aġenzija Żgħażagħ with support from corporate partners across the hospitality, retail, and social care and customer service sectors.
The Prince heard from young participants including Kyle, who took part in the Get Into retail programme and has since secured a full time job:
“I learnt to be a good team player and get a good hold of my emotions, which in return now I have a good job.”
The Minister for Education and Employment in Malta, the honourable Evarist Bartolo who was also in attendance, commented on the initiative’s success:
“The impact of Achieve has been so powerful, since it was first piloted in 2015, that it is now a recognised qualification for entry to post-secondary education in Malta. We are very proud that in the last two years the programme has been implemented in 19 schools in Malta and Gozo, and we look forward to supporting many more young people as roll out of the Achieve programme is extended moving into our third year.
“HSBC believes that all young people have great potential provided they are afforded the opportunity and support to make the most of their particular talents. We are very proud that we have been able to help more than 300 young people reengage with education through the Achieve programme in Malta over the last two years. We are also delighted to support the Get Into programme which has already helped young people into employment, with thanks to InterContinental, Hilton Malta, Vassallo Group, Smart Supermarket, and Dizz Group.”
– Andrew Beane, CEO HSBC Bank Malta