Recognition of skills and health training

The issue of skills recognition is becoming increasingly central to international debate. A recent article in University World News, written by Merel Eimers, policy officer at Nuffic, the ENIC-NARIC of the Netherlands, highlighted how the healthcare sector is facing growing difficulties in finding qualified personnel. The shortage of doctors, nurses and specialised operators is not only a demographic problem but also reflects rigidity in training programmes and in the assessment of professional experience gained outside traditional channels.

In this context, the recognition of skills becomes a strategic tool. It allows you to validate knowledge acquired in the field, through continuous training, work in international contexts or non-formal learning. According to the aforementioned analysis, this approach is not limited to certifying previous skills but helps to better integrate professionals within national health systems.

The challenges of the healthcare sector

The crisis of health workers does not concern a single country but is widespread in Europe and beyond. University World News pointed out that traditional training systems are failing to respond in time to the growing demand for operators. The recognition of skills, together with an adequate accreditation framework, therefore, becomes an immediate response to gaps.

In the Maltese case, the issue is part of a clear regulatory framework. The Further and Higher Education Act (Cap. 607) assigns the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA) the task of validating non-formal and informal learning as well. This means that, for the health sector, professional experience gained abroad or in non-academic contexts can be recognised and classified within the Malta Qualifications Framework.

Alignment with European standards and transparency of processes thus become key factors in strengthening the trust of students, professionals and employers.

Recognition of skills and accreditation

The recognition of skills cannot be separated from accreditation. Indeed, ensuring that these skills are assessed according to objective and comparable criteria is essential to protect both professionals and patients.

In Malta, the MFHEA has developed accreditation procedures for programmes and institutions operating in the health field. The standards require providers to demonstrate how they integrate elements of hands-on learning, skills assessment, and student support into their learning pathways.

The recognition of skills therefore becomes an integral part of a broader strategy: not only to fill staff shortages, but to build a health training system that is dynamic, inclusive and able to respond quickly to the needs of society.

Prospects for Malta and the example of the Netherlands

The Maltese healthcare sector faces increasing pressures due to an ageing population and increased demand for services. In this context, the recognition of skills can play a decisive role in attracting foreign professionals, retraining those already working in the country and supporting internal mobility.

In the Netherlands, a national project has shown how the recognition of skills can significantly reduce the time it takes for health professionals to onboard. The initiative, recalled by University World News, allowed nurses and operators with practical experience to obtain an official certificate of their skills without having to repeat the entire academic path. This model has made it easier to recruit qualified staff in hospitals and nursing homes, helping to relieve pressure on the Dutch healthcare system.

In Malta, on the other hand, there is still no structured model of recognition of skills dedicated to the health sector. However, there is a legal and institutional framework that would make it possible to adopt such a practice: the MFHEA has the mandate to validate non-formal and informal learning, but so far the procedures have been applied mainly on a case-by-case basis, in particular for foreign professionals who require equivalences of qualifications. Systematic adoption, like the Dutch one, could allow Malta to strengthen the resilience of its health system.

A necessary balance

University World News‘ contribution highlights how the recognition of skills is destined to grow in importance in the coming years. However, the challenge of ensuring a balance remains open: on the one hand, the need for flexibility to quickly integrate new professionals; on the other hand, the obligation to maintain rigorous accreditation standards to protect the quality of health care.

For Malta, this balance translates into policies that strengthen the role of the MFHEA, enhance collaboration with European institutions and promote a vision of higher education as a tool for collective well-being. The recognition of skills, therefore, is not just a temporary solution to the shortage of personnel, but an integral part of a long-term strategy to ensure sustainability and quality of the health system.