Lino Spiteri Foundation's Headstart training course boosts employability of persons with disabilities

Abstract

The Lino Spiteri Foundation’s (LSF) six-month Headstart training course significantly improves the employability of persons with disabilities by providing essential skills like IT and financial literacy. CEO Esmeralda Micallef Zarafa explains that the program addresses critical gaps, often leading to participants’ first formal qualifications. The foundation utilizes a "job-carving" approach to tailor roles to individual strengths, supported by dedicated job-coaching to ensure long-term workplace independence. While Malta’s 2% quota law and new labour reforms incentivize inclusion, LSF focuses on performance and professional value rather than charity. Beyond employment, the initiative transforms lives by fostering personal autonomy and financial independence.