Industry affiliates play a vital role in vocational training by bridging the gap between theoretical education and real‐world application. They provide students with hands‐on experience, access to current industry practices, and exposure to workplace standards. This collaboration ensures that the training remains relevant, up‐to‐date, and aligned with the skills employers seek.
Affiliates also contribute to curriculum development, offer apprenticeships or internships, and often serve as potential employers, making vocational programmes more attractive and practical. The presence of industry partners enhances credibility, increases job placement opportunities for graduates, and fosters a culture of continuous learning and innovation. In Malta, these partnerships are particularly valuable in addressing skill shortages, supporting economic sectors, and driving quality in education.
Associate Affiliate Companies and Associations
- Niumee
A wellness and beauty centre, ideal for health and personal care and training.
- SALTWAVE
An oil response and recovery service provider including oil response training.
- F’idi Restaurant & Granelli Restaurant
Popular dining venues enhancing culinary training.
- Ta’ Nenu Artisan Bakery
Specialising in traditional Maltese baking.
- Hermanas Limited
Owner and operator of Cargo Bar and Dine, Gourmet Boutique by Cargo and The yard by Cargo.
Strategic Partner and Regulators
City of Glasgow College stands as Scotland’s largest college and a leading institution for technological and professional education. Established in 2010 through the merger of Central College Glasgow, Glasgow Metropolitan College, and Glasgow College of Nautical Studies, it has since become a cornerstone of further and higher education in Scotland. The college operates across two main campuses. Together, these state‐of‐the‐art facilities serve up to 40,000 students and 1,200 staff members. City of Glasgow College offers over 1,200 courses across four faculties, encompassing areas such as business, computing, creative industries, engineering, electronics, nautical studies, and social sciences. Its innovative teaching approaches and strong industry partnerships ensure that graduates are well‐prepared for the workforce, with over 90% progressing directly to further learning, apprenticeships, or employment. City of Glasgow College is globally renowned for its work in maritime, supply chain, culinary, and healthcare sectors and is a leading institution in World‐Skills competitions.
The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) is Scotland’s national body responsible for developing, accrediting, assessing, and certifying qualifications other than degrees. Established in 1997 through the merger of the Scottish Examination Board and the Scottish Vocational Education Council, the SQA operates under the Scottish Government’s oversight. SQA’s main responsibilities include the design and delivery of National Qualifications and it oversees a wide range of vocational qualifications, including Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs), Higher National Certificates (HNCs), and Higher National Diplomas (HNDs). As both an awarding and accrediting body, the SQA ensures that qualifications are quality‐assured and aligned with the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF).
The Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA) is the national regulatory body overseeing further and higher education in Malta. MFHEA knows its origin from a merger between the Malta Qualifications Council (MQC‐2005) and the National Further and Higher Education Commission (NFHEA‐ 2006). MFHEA was officially launched (Chapter 607 Laws of Malta) in January 2021. MFHEA’s mission is to foster excellence in further and higher education through research, effective licensing, accreditation, quality assurance, and recognition of qualifications established under the Malta Qualifications Framework (MQF). MFHEA is also responsible for validation of Informal and Non‐Formal Learning and Research and Policy Development related to further and higher education.
In May 2025, EVA partnered with the Malta Development Association to run joint courses on enhancing the Construction Industry. MDA brings together the large majority of private real estate developers, estate agents and other interested parties under one single umbrella to act as a potent force bringing about growth and development of this important sector of Malta’s economy. It links private real estate developers to the relevant state authorities and to customers through numerous initiatives and activities and promotes responsible development and ownership of real estate in Malta through legislative advocacy, educational programs and professional networking opportunities. Since 2017, it has formed part of Property Malta Foundation, which is a public‐private initiative set up with the main aim of promoting Malta’s lifestyle identity and to position the country as a leading destination of choice for everyone interested in purchasing property in the Mediterranean.
EVA´s Memberships
Founded in 1991 and head‐quartered in Brussels, the European Forum for Vocational Education and Training, or EfVET, is a prominent European network of practitioners in VET. The group gives VET providers throughout Europe a forum for cooperation, advocacy, and innovation. Its goal is to advance inclusive, accessible, and high‐quality VET programmes that adapt to the changing demands of society, job markets, and students. Through its national and regional members, EfVET advocates for thousands of VET institutions, influencing EU policies and promoting international collaboration. It actively interacts with the European Commission, ETF, CEDEFOP, and other institutional actors, and is acknowledged as a significant participant in European vocational policy discussions. By using a bottom‐up strategy to facilitate peer learning, policy formulation, and VET modernisation, the organisation makes sure that practitioners’ opinions are acknowledged when shaping future European VET educational plans. The promotion of Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs), which are international platforms that connect VET institutions with businesses, research facilities, and local governments to spur innovation and economic growth, is another important function of EfVET. Strengthening the EfVET Thematic Teams, which act as think tanks for topics like work‐based learning, sustainability, and digitisation, has been a significant accomplishment. Hundreds of VET experts from all around Europe and beyond come together for EfVET’s annual conferences, which provide a lively platform for collaboration, policy debate, and relationship development. Over the years, EfVET has emerged as a key player in determining the direction of vocational education and training in Europe by encouraging cooperation, influencing legislation, and testing new ideas.
One of the top professional awarding organisations in the UK that focusses on credentials for the hospitality, culinary, and tourism sectors is the Confederation of Tourism and Hospitality (CTH). CTH was founded more than 30 years ago with the goal of fostering the growth of top‐tier professionals in service industries by providing internationally recognised credentials, training, and membership services. CTH collaborates closely with a global network of recognised training facilities, institutions, and universities. In order to train students and professionals for employment in hotel administration, tourism operations, culinary arts, and customer service, it provides a planned progression of certifications from entry‐level certificates to postgraduate diplomas. CTH offers a wide range of qualifications that are governed by OfQual, the UK Government’s qualifications regulator. After earning CTH diplomas, students can enrol straight into degree or master’s programmes thanks to articulation agreements with UK and international universities.