Lifelong Learning courses have years-long history and a list of ranging courses.

Here are eight facts about the courses for learners and the society:

1) The Directorate for Lifelong Learning and Employability (DLE) within the Ministry for Education (MEYR), promote learning as a mindset and ongoing life transformation.

DLE offers courses for everyone aged 15 upwards in various areas and subjects from essential skills to language learning and creative expression, designed to enhance employability, personal growth, quality of life and wellbeing.

The directorate offers over 400 courses for over 7000 adult learners per year.

2) DLE is embarking on Community Learning Programmes, where individuals and communities are given the opportunity to acquire skills which are relevant to their lives, their needs, their work and wellbeing.

The directorate collaborates with entities and Local Councils and offers policy guidance on lifelong learning and organises adult learning courses through personalised and innovative approaches to education.

It aims to ensure that learning is beneficial for numerous different sectors: individuals, communities, employers and society at large.

This is reflected in the different modes of learning that are on offer: modular, on-site face-to-face, online face-to-face (synchronous) and self-paced (asynchronous) including new flexible modes of learning for shift workers wishing to attend specific subjects.

3) A Career and Education Guidance Service is available to all prospective adult learners. Structured support is crucial for a positive learning experience for both adult learners and their educators.

The directorate recognises this need and has established a team of professionals who are able to guide students and learners through the whole learning journey.

This support spans from guiding potential learners who are interested in enrolling in a program offered by the directorate, to recommending various types of courses provided by different entities, based on the individual’s aspirations and goals in life.

The proficient guidance team is equipped to assist learners in making informed decisions throughout their educational journey. This includes the creation of individualised plans and ensuring the attainment of set goals through follow-up sessions.

This approach enables learners to analyse available courses, understand course levels and prerequisites, explore schemes related to learning programs, and consider potential job prospects in collaboration with the guidance team.

The guidance team can be reached by appointment through the email [email protected]

4) All the work is part and parcel of the implementation of the National Lifelong Learning Strategy 2023-2030, launched in November 2023 and complemented by the National Education Strategy 2024-2030.

Lifelong Learning strategy focuses on three key pillars: Improving the educational opportunities for low skilled and low qualified adults, diversifying the methods and opportunities for learning and ensuring quality in lifelong learning provision.

Its main goal is to positively impact individuals’ lives through various initiatives including a variety of learning opportunities for upskilling and reskilling, the provision of modular courses for at-risk adults, strengthening of the guidance system with independent educational and career guidance.

Ultimately, it aims to help individuals acquire new skills, enhance existing ones and pursue personal growth to enhance employability.

5) This year DLE are introducing new accredited courses designed for the needs of workers employed on shift basis.

For the first time, two new courses: English as a Foreign Language MQF1 and Maltese as a Foreign Language MQF 1 are available for shift workers.

These are online courses where learners are expected to attend at least 40 per cent of live sessions and another 40 per cent of recorded sessions.

Learners are expected to submit the tasks assigned by the educator at the end of every lesson for both live and recorded lessons.

6) DLE insists that “we are all lifelong learners. Lifelong Learning courses are not for retired persons only but for everyone from 15 years upward.” Courses are at very low price or free.

 7) Learn and empower yourself with DLE. For more info and to apply for a course on visit here or here.

Check out DLE Malta's Lifelong Learning prospectus here.

 8) DLE’s mission is to keep on striving to provide service of excellence, increase accessibility of courses, and ensure quality through learner-centered approach. For queries or suggestions one can email on [email protected]; [email protected] or call 153.