Finding the right talent has proven to be an ‘ongoing challenge’ – Vassallo Group CEO Pio Vassallo

Vassallo Group CEO Pio Vassallo has remarked that recruitment has been a persistent challenge for the group across all fronts, particularly within its CareMalta team.

Businesses from all over the world, especially within the EU and specifically in Malta, have struggled with finding the right talent, particularly as they face a tight labour market, characterised by a shortage of skills and rising wage demands.

Mr Vassallo, who was commenting during a recently released interview for Arkati, a publication by diversified company Vassallo Group, said that recruitment was one of the primary challenges faced by the group over the past 12 months.

Established in 1946, Vassallo Group is now involved in a wide range of sectors in the local market, including property and construction, furniture and interiors, elderly and disability, catering, hospitality, architecture, and education.

“Finding the right people to join the CareMalta team, in particular, has proven to be an ongoing challenge,” Mr Vassallo said.

The healthcare sector has struggled with a supply of local nursing and medical staff over recent years, a sentiment that has also been echoed by other business leaders within the sector.

However, he explained that this issue was “one of very few clouds in an otherwise bright year,” for both Vassallo Group and CareMalta, especially since 2023 marked the latter’s expansion to Gozo through Dar San Gużepp.

CareMalta is Vassallo Group’s care wing, providing services related to nursing and residential care through its multiple care homes, independent living for older persons, specialised dementia care, and certified courses in health and elderly care.

The Gozo care home, located in Għajnsielem, consists of 120 beds with ensuites spread across four levels. It is set to welcome its first elderly residents in March, with applications set to open in the coming days.

“We aim to create one of the finest care homes in the Maltese Islands, complete with breathtaking views. The response from the local community has been exceptionally positive, and we are looking to employ several people from Gozo,” Mr Vassallo stated.

He remarked that the project has had its fair share of obstacles, yet Mr Vassallo added that he is now “very excited” about the planned opening. The year also marked the closure of the Cospicua care home and the opening of Santa Rosa in Mosta.

Mr Vassallo outlined that such projects required an increase in personnel and new skills within the organisation, particularly in CareMalta. As a result, it has turned to Vassallo Group’s educational arm, Learning Works, which provides courses in nursing and health-related fields, among other areas.

Additionally, he also said pointed towards the Mediterranean College of Sport as one of the group’s most significant projects, set to welcome new students in September 2024.

“Our primary areas of focus include specialised training in football, athletics, water polo, and swimming. Enrolment for the upcoming academic year in September 2024 is now in progress,” he said.

Mr Vassallo said that the feedback has been “exceptionally positive” from both prospective students and employers so far.