Skills Development Scheme

The Skills Development Scheme from Malta Enterprise supports businesses in providing training focused on developing a knowledge-based workforce by:

• developing and updating the skills and knowledge of their workforce
• training new employees to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to perform effectively
• addressing skills shortages
• facilitate re-skilling and address skill mismatches

Eligibility Criteria

The scheme is open for undertakings engaged in qualifying activities (as defined in the relevant Guidelines). The support is primarily intended as a tax credit yet the Corporation may approve support as a cash grant or a mix of both. Support approved may cover up to 70% of the cost of training including the wages of trainees for the time dedicated to receiving training.

Training qualifying for this scheme need to fulfil any of the below criteria:

1. training that leads to the acquisition of skills, knowhow or knowledge directly related to the business operations of the applicant undertaking and the development of the current and future function of the trainees within the organisation;

2. training provided to non-Maltese employees to support them in learning the Maltese language and culture;

3. training in the use of digital technologies, digital communications, cyber security, and other topics related to digitisation;

4. training on improving the applicant’s position vis-a-vis Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance practices.

Routine training, team building activities and training carried out to comply with national mandatory standards on training as established by national law are considered as ineligible training.

Other conditions that must be fulfilled for the training to be eligible for funding under this scheme:

The Corporation may support training delivered by:

a) other employees of the beneficiary;

b) employees of related enterprises;

c) external experts. For training to be delivered by external experts the Corporation may request the Applicant to confirm that such training is not and may not be supported by other public organisation such as Jobsplus Corporation. Support for training provided by external experts should first be requested through JobsPlus and requested from ME only if it is rejected.

Training must be split into training modules. Each training module should have a duration of at least six (6) hours and should be delivered to at least 5 employees

Only 1 programme in a (3) three-month period may be submitted.

The Applicant must identify clear learning outcomes to be achieved from the training and establish a methodology on how the attainment of these outcomes will be measured at the end of the session(s).

Team building activities and training which focuses on corporate culture, values, organisational behaviour, brand identity and similar company focused actions specific to the employer are not covered by this measure.

Eligible Costs

Malta Enterprise shall provide support in relation to the following costs:

a)Wage costs of trainees, covering direct contact hours during which the trainer and trainee are interacting as part of an approved training programme, whether this is delivered physically or online.

b) Wage costs of internal trainers, covering direct contact hours during which the trainer is delivering the training irrespective of whether the training is delivered physically or online;

c) Hourly costs covering direct contact hours of training provided by an
external expert engaged to deliver training irrespective of whether the training is delivered physically or online;

d) Air Travel expenses incurred to send trainees to foreign training locations if the training is not available locally and it is more economically feasible than holding the training locally;

e) Air Travel expenses incurred to bring trainers to Malta.

Wage costs will be calculated on the basis of an hourly rate.

Training provided by external expert can only be considered as eligible if charged at an hourly rate.

What aid will be awarded?

Aid can be awarded in the form of tax credits, cash grants, or a combination of these forms of aid, capped
to the maximum aid intensity set out below and not exceeding €2,000,000 per skills development project.

The aid intensity will vary depending on the size of the undertaking:

The aid intensity may be increased by 10% when training is provided to workers with disabilities, yet in no instance shall the aid intensity exceed 70%.

How to Apply

Applicants should submit a complete application prior to the start of works, i.e. prior to the start of the training programme. The Corporation may provide formal consent to applicants to start the project at their own risk, prior to issuing a final decision.

This scheme is open until 31 December 2026 and the application deadline is 30 September 2026.

How can we help?

With years of experience working with national funding schemes, our team of professionals can assist you and in making value-adding decisions by identifying opportunities within your operations and carefully
selecting the most suitable funding scheme available to you.

Furthermore, we can also support you throughout the application process. PwC can prepare and compile the content and collate the documentation required as part of the Skills Development application form.

Should you need more information or have any questions about these schemes or the support that we can offer, including entity eligibility, please contact us for further guidance.

Investing in Skills 2021 – 2027 1^st Call

With the ever-evolving landscape in today’s markets, it is necessary for people to constantly update their skills. The Investing in Skills incentive aims to facilitate access towards such training for people working in the Maltese labor market, with a view to increasing productivity and enhancing adaptability. This incentive seeks to increase and/or improve the knowledge and skills of employed persons.

Who is eligible?

This incentive is open to all Maltese entities with the exception of public companies including local councils and government departments. The scheme is applicable to both employers carrying out an economic activity and employers that do not carry out an economic activity.

What actions are eligible?

• Accredited training between MQF/EQF Levels 1- 5
• Non-accredited training

A variety of training environment are supported, including:

• Classroom style training
• E-learning online training (live)
• E-learning online training (self-led)
• Distance learning

What expenditure is eligible?

The Investing in Skills incentive covers the following costs:

• Trainer/s personal costs such as the hours spent by trainers in training
• Training operating costs which are related to the training project such as travel expenses 
• Trainee’s personnel costs for the hours spent in training 
• A 7% Flat rate on all eligible costs (a to c) will be added to the grant to compensate for general indirect costs

What aid will be awarded?

The maximum contact hours that can be supported are 25 hours per trainee for non-accredited training. In the case of accredited training all the approved contact hours can be supported. There is a capping of 10 trainees per group. 

Funding for trainers’ cost is provided at a rate of €30.15. Funding for trainees’ cost is provided at a rate of €10. 

The aid intensity will vary depending on the size of the undertaking:

What is the application process?

This incentive is operated on a first come first served basis. Complete applications must be received within 21 days from the start of training but not later than 7 days before the training starts. Training will only be considered as eligible if it commences once an application has been sent to JobsPlus and an acknowledgement has been issued.

Key dates

31st December 2026 – Last submission subject to the availability of funds

30th June 2027 – Training to be completed

31st August 2027 – Deadline for documents of claims for reimbursement 

How can we help?

With years of experience working with EU funding schemes, our team of professionals in advisory can help you develop solutions to face your challenges and operate more profitably, with the support of our international network. We can assist you in making value-adding decisions by identifying opportunities within your operations and carefully selecting the most suitable funding scheme available to you.

We will also support you throughout the application process. PwC can prepare and compile the content and collate the documentation required as part of the grant scheme application form.

Should you require any further information or have any queries on these schemes, or the support that we offer, including on entity eligibility, please do not hesitate to reach out to us for further guidance.

Digitalise your SME / Large Business Grant Scheme

The Digitalise your SME / Large Business grant schemes assists enterprises to part-finance up to 50% of the cost for investments to digitalise their operations by addressing new digital capabilities and digitalised processes, up to a maximum of €128,400. The grant scheme supports the following investments:

• Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) and Custom Software;
  Hardware (such as Laptops, Docking Station, Port Replicator, Monitors, Tablets);
• Analytical Tools (including necessary hardware and software);
• Cyber Security systems;
• Cloud computing;
• Internet of Things (IOT);
• Artificial intelligence (AI);
• Big Data analysis;
• Cyber security;
• Quantum technology;
• Routers, switches and WIFI related equipment;
• Other hardware, software or digital solutions;
• Installation including any training costs on the use of the specific item acquired under points above and included in the purchase price of the item in question, and thus from the same provider.

The Digitalisation Grant Schemes has been renewed with one version for SMEs and another version specifically for large enterprises. Kindly access our EU funding website to find the schemes’ main parameters.