‘Work gives you meaning and purpose and life is empty without it’

Stephen Hawking

Employment * Young People * Disability

About

Graduated with a Master’s Degree in Youth and Community Development from De Montfort University in UK and a Diploma in Youth Studies from the University of Malta. Currently a Master of Arts in Sociology at the University of Malta. Successfully managed a three year pre-employment programme for young job seekers with intellectual disability to enter the open labor market at Jobsplus, the National Employment Agency in Malta. Worked with young people within the Scouts Association of Malta, Agenzija Zghazagh – the National Youth Agency of Malta and led a community based youth project in the community of Santa Lucija with Right 2 Smile.

‘Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.’ _{Benjamin Franklin}

A social researcher undertakes research projects to investigate a number of social issues and then report their findings. My dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment for the requirement of my MA in Youth and Community Development Studies, within the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences at De Montfort University, UK covers the ‘The effectiveness of disability quotas when employing persons with disabilities; an exploratory study among Maltese employers.’ This dissertation presents an exploratory study among Maltese employers who employ persons with disabilities in their place of work.

This study gathered information of experiences that local employers gone through since the enforcement of the ‘Quota System’ Act that was established in 1969 but only enforced through a legal notice during the National Budget of 2015; what did not work and what suggestions could support policy makers in Malta to support the integration of persons with disability into the open labour market through paid employment.

The journey continues……….. Several legislations and policies, both on national and international level, sets the context for my next project (MPhil). The aim is to investigate how disability and employment laws and policies are interpreted and applied within vulnerable group. Moreover, the project will explore the impact such legislations and policies have on the job market, employers, and persons with disability in and out of work with a particular focus on the retention at the place of work once persons with disability are officially recruited. This unexplored area will give answers to questions we do not yet know the answers and pave the way to have scope for further research in this disability field of employment and retention.

Current Role

CENTRAL MEDITERRANEAN BUSINESS SCHOOL

_{Client Relations and Community Engagement Manager}

As the Client Relations and Community Engagement Manager at CMBS, my role is to bridge the gap between our students’ academic journey within our Sixth Form and the professional world. At CMBS, we are committed to delivering a well-rounded sixth form education that not only excels in academic rigor but also prepares students for real-world challenges. Through fostering strong relationships with industry partners and coordinating meaningful work-based learning opportunities, I ensure that our students are exposed to diverse work experiences and career-focused activities. This holistic approach equips them with the skills and insights they need to excel in their post-secondary studies and beyond.

Other Roles

University of Malta – Dept. of Disability Studies

_{Visiting Lecturer/Student Research Supervisor}

Currently contributing to the Department of Disability Studies by supervising desk based research at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. A visiting lecturer at undergrad level, Diploma in Community access for Disabled People (Study Unit – Education, Employment and Health Access to related Services).

Testimonials

What People Say

Tonio leads with a strong work ethic, focusing on the needs of others before his own with a single goal in life – To enrich the wellbeing of others!
Joe Tanti
CEO Malta Business Bureau
www.mbb.org.mt

Tonio is a reflective practitioner that seeks to create the common good through strong social values and connections.
Martin Borg
Education and Training consultant
www.mbconsult.mt

Recent Contribution

Removing the disability quota system; can this provided a different context for understanding the requirements for integrating persons with disabilities into the labour market?

The Quota Act – UK Case study The quota system is a mandatory policy that obliges employers to employ a certain percentage of persons with disabilities as part their workforce. This quota system is not the only measure for employing persons with disabilities. This makes it more difficult to judge the effectiveness of enforcing such…

August 14, 2021

Legislation safeguarding persons with disability on a national level.

Two ways to safeguard the rights of persons with disabilities are the implementation, and monitoring, of laws and policies. Being the smallest state in the European Union, Malta still needs to ensure that persons with disabilities are given the right to access employment. Although this has been done during the last few years by adopting…

July 23, 2021July 23, 2021

Legislation about persons with disability

In recent times, there has been an extensive effort made to fight any form of discrimination against persons with disabilities’ entering the open labour market. This effort has been carried out on an International, European Level and national Level. The main objective of human rights efforts is to guarantee basic freedom, and to permit the…

June 26, 2021June 26, 2021

Membership of professional associations and societies

Member at The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry. Its principal mission is to actively represent companies from all economic sectors and ensure that entrepreneurs enjoy the best competitive environment and regulatory conditions possible for the conduct of business.