Involvement of social partners in life-long learning

Abstract

This study brings together a number of social partner perceptions to issues of lifelong learning and development within the context of a transitional economy such as that of Malta. The first section provides a literature review on the changing nature of the world of work via the forces of globalisation through the borderless flow of capital, the intensive dependence on the knowledge economy and the primacy of competitiveness as a key business strategy for profitability based on excellence in human capital. This requires human resource management and industrial relations to adopt a strategic role in workplace and employment relations. In particular, the salience of lifelong learning and continuous training and skill development of the workforce are emphasised as being the only controllable factors in productivity growth.