MGA publishes survey to understand skills gap

The Maltese authority said that the survey was conducted during the first quarter of 2018.

Malta.- The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), through its Information Unit, has revealed that it conducted a survey among its licensed remote gaming operators in order to obtain a better understanding of the existing skills gap in the gaming industry.

The survey was conducted during the first quarter of the year, and its analysis was carried out for each job category, level and firm size, said the MGA. The authority also pointed out as highlights from the survey that a total of 781 unfilled positions have been reported by the remote gaming companies in Malta as at the end of 2017, and that unfilled job vacancies are primarily in the game operation and development category at the operational level, presenting significant potential for the local educational system to contribute in addressing the issues of job vacancies in skills that are specific to the gaming industry in Malta.

Moreover, the MGA said that survey results indicate that 57% of respondents consider the lack of appropriate skills, in terms of either work experience or qualifications, as the main cause of unfilled vacancies. The sourcing of experienced talent from other firms in Malta is practised by over 60% of surveyed firms; the majority of operators recruited workers already employed by other firms in the online sector (37%) or in other industries (24%).