| CODE | CLS5102 | ||||||
| TITLE | The Labour Market | ||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Centre for Labour Studies | ||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit provides an overview of labour market dynamics in Malta and the wider European context. It examines the meaning and evolution of work, the impact of globalisation, digitalisation, and the green transition on employment, and the ways in which political, social, and economic forces shape work and workforce participation. Students will explore employment policies, legislation, and social dialogue frameworks that influence labour markets at both national and EU levels. The unit also addresses key issues such as skills development, emotional labour, hidden and precarious work, equality, and working-time organisation. Through practical engagement with data from the NSO, Eurostat, and other sources, students will learn to interpret labour market trends and evaluate policy implications for different sectors of the economy and the future of work. Study-unit Aims This study-unit aims to equip students of career guidance with a solid understanding of labour market structures, trends, and policies, enabling them to apply this knowledge in supporting individuals’ career development and employability. It fosters the ability to interpret labour market data critically, link economic and social changes to occupational opportunities, and evaluate how legislation, skills demands, and workplace dynamics affect career pathways. The unit also encourages reflective awareness of inclusion, equality, and sustainability as essential dimensions of effective and ethical career guidance practice. Learning Outcomes 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit, the student will be able to: • Demonstrate an understanding of key labour market concepts, structures, and indicators within local, EU, and global contexts relevant to career guidance practice. • Explain how political, economic, technological, and social developments influence employment trends, occupational change, and career opportunities. • Identify major employment policies, legislation, and institutional frameworks that shape access to work and employability. • Discuss the significance of skills development, lifelong learning, and emotional labour in relation to career progression and adaptability. • Recognise issues of informality, precarity, equality, and inclusion and their implications for fair and ethical career guidance. • Understand current and emerging labour market challenges, including digitalisation, sustainability, and demographic change, in relation to the future of work. 2. Skills (including transferable [generic] skills) By the end of the study-unit, the student will be able to: • Source, interpret, and critically evaluate labour market information (LMI) from national and European databases such as the NSO and Eurostat. • Apply labour market analysis to support career guidance interventions, workforce planning, and policy advice. • Translate complex employment data into accessible insights for clients and stakeholders. • Demonstrate critical thinking, ethical awareness, and problem-solving skills in addressing employability and inclusion challenges. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: - Noon, M., Blyton, P., & Morrell, K. (2017). The realities of work: Experiencing work and employment in contemporary society (4th Edition). Bloomsbury Publishing. - Set of research papers |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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