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Online learning launch during the COVID-19 pandemic

Life as we know it is currently going through some foundational changes. With the widespread scare of the COVID-19 pandemic swarming the entire globe, Malta implemented immediate action to flatten the curve and protect its citizens. One of the primary action points was to close or restrict access to public space like educational centres such as schools and private facilities. 

With education being one of Malta’s most esteemed social benefits, primary, secondary and tertiary schools took to online teaching to give students the necessary exposure to maintain their development. But what about private institutions for higher learning or vocational study, institutions such as Learning Works?

Upon receiving the news of the health authority’s restrictions, Learning Works immediately took action to ensure that classes were carried on as normal and that their students’ educational progress would be maintained even though a physical classroom was not a viable solution.

Within days of the public announcement, Learning Works switched to online learning via Zoom; the globe’s current go-to online communication platform. Lecturers who were giving classes when the pandemic warnings developed, took to their computers and other technological devices to keep their classes running as efficiently and smoothly as possible. 

Some of the courses that are undergoing live online teaching solutions include the Level 1 Award in Maltese as a Foreign Language and Cultural Orientationfor non-natives to the island who are looking to integrate into society and improve their chances of employment. Other courses include the Level 3 Award in Healthcareas well as the Level 4 Advanced Award in Healthcare. Such courses are intended for healthcare professionals who are looking to improve their skills in their vocation – a line of career that we now must know how greatly important it is for society. 

Some other courses that are currently taking place online via Zoom include the Level 4 Award in Psychology for Sports and Exerciseand the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management

Upcoming courses that will be hosted online during this period of social distancing and caution include the Level 2 Award in Maltese as a Foreign Language and Cultural Orientation, the Level 4 Award in Mental Health Support and Carethe  Level 4 Award in Nutrition for Sports and Physical Activityand the recently launched Level 5 Award in Managing Finance. Every course will be available online to ensure that all our students, current and prospective, can improve their education while staying home and staying safe. 

With online tuition comes flexibility and increased availability and possibilities to enrol in courses; and it goes without saying that quality remains the number one priority for all Learning Works courses, lecturers and students. With every course, both lecturers and students are given surveys to share their experience of the online transition. 

With such information we are better able to cater for the every need of our professionals and their classes. At Learning Works, we are currently reviewing our online strategy to provide enhanced solutions for the educational expectations of Malta’s public. Our plan is to retain a number of online courses well after the pandemic comes to an end. 

As part of our online strategy, we have just launched our online application and payment facility in order to make application and payment for online courses much easier. Applying for your desired coursescan now all be handled online, including official document uploads that may be necessary for your admission to a specific course. 

By adapting to the ‘new normal’ that we are about to experience in life, Learning Works is providing opportunity and possibilities to learn from the comfort of your own home, within your schedule while focusing on the most important aspect of your life; health, education and happiness. We aim to keep all our students engaged and excited to learn more and improve their chances in their professional life. 

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A professional athlete’s toolbox for knowledge, confidence and performance

Entering the world of sports is mostly seen as a physical activity where footballs are kicked around, bars are balanced on and swimming pools are jumped into with finesse, excellence and power. Well, yes, sports is all about the skill and technique required to make a performance great, whether it’s a friendly match or a qualifying championship – the art of competition is very much alive. But there are a few other factors that most people on the viewing end don’t really understand and appreciate – the psychological part. 

In order to kill it in the cut throat industry that is professional sportsmanship, a serious amount of self-discovery is required to break into the league of champions. The Level 4 Award in Sports and Exercise Psychology on offer at Learning Works is the gateway to a level of professionalism that is needed to exercise the ultimate principles of sports as a professional career. 

Reigning in the field of sports and exercise requires a whole lot of psychological gain where mind over matter becomes an underlying principle in the athlete’s success. The general population is becoming more aware of the healthy lifestyle benefits and is also paying more attention to mental strain and illness that might come about in high stress situations. Engaging in exercise regimes contributes greatly to the wellbeing of an individual but trained and experienced staff, coaches or trainers are expected to motivate, guide and provide support to these aspiring professional sports people. 

The Level 4 Award in Sports and Exercise Psychology focuses on the existing knowledge and experience ingrained in every amateur athlete and boosts it to an advanced level of knowledge, skills and competences as well as drive and passion for their sport. The programme is aimed to draw upon actual experiences that the students have been through during their sports and exercise settings so far and helps them to recognise a number of factors that they can either relate to, improve or find solutions for. These factors relate to specific frameworks as well as the study of human behaviour in a sports or exercise setting. 

Understanding the key areas in sports and exercise psychology will form part of the programme, including; a general introduction to the subject both on a theoretical and practical basis as well as a deeper focus on the issues of concern related to the art of performance during sports. More delicate topics concerning anxiety regulation, concentration styles and mental warm-up techniques are set to guide students onto the right path for their professional sports careers. 

Some of the skills adopted will include goal-setting techniques, visualization techniques, relaxation skills, psyching-up strategies, concentration skills and pre-performance routines – all of which will help aspiring pro-sportspeople to develop not only their performance on the field but also in their everyday lives. The psycho-social aspects addressed in the The Level 4 Award in Sports and Exercise Psychology will be focused towards listening and communication skills, team dynamics and cohesion as well as psychological testing in sports, emotional intelligence, motivation and other serious topics such as drug-abuse and match-fixing in sports. 

Through the The Level 4 Award in Sports and Exercise Psychology, aspiring sportsmen and women are given the chance to develop their inherent talent and elevate it to a powerful force of professionalism powered by knowledge, confidence and total understanding of the dynamics involved in the world of professional sports. 

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A course for improved mental health support and support

Our daily life is bombarded with external stress-inducing factors that add pressure and strain to our day-to-day practices. Wouldn’t it be great if your employers, families and friends were sensitive towards your emotional, psychological and social well-being? Wouldn’t knowing how to help those struggling with mental health issues be a lifesaving quality? Wouldn’t it also be beneficial to your own health to better understand the ins-and-outs of mental health?

As members of the 21st century’s work-fuelled community, our mental health can affect the ways we handle stress, react to our personal and professional duties and even alter the way we make choices in our everyday life. The course leading to a qualification in  Mental Health Support and Carewill be provided by Learning Works, in collaboration with Richmond Foundation. It is is aimed at equipping students with the facilities to reflect on, evaluate and improve personal and professional practices related to mental health care. 

TheLevel 4 Mental Health Support and Careis a 3-month course that results in a priceless amount of knowledge that students enrolled in the course can apply to their own lives as well as share with others battling mental health issues.

This eye-opening course will also enable professionals who are already working in the social field to be in a better position to provide effective support and care to persons with mental health issues – from children to older persons; this course has the ability to benefit society as a whole. There are numerous reasons why this course should be followed, if not for sensitivity in the workplace then for increased social awareness in our day-to-day life. 

Taking this course requires a fair amount of competence beforehand as the topics discussed deal with simple issues such as context, ethics and communication used in a professional environment together with higher caliber topics related to risk management, emergency and crisis situations as well as practical tools to help your employees get back on their feet. In order to join the course, applicant must possess a Level 3 Award in Healthcare or Social Care, a Level 3 Mental Health First Aidor a minimum of 1 year practical experience in a related field. 

Mental health is still seen as a taboo on our shores and across our borders, Learning Works and Richmond Foundation are adamant to break down the walls that restrict individuals from blossoming into confident workers empowered by self-worth and encourage a sense of inclusion into modern society.  

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Open the doors to diversity; your key to performance and innovation

Diversity. A buzz word in our society that tackles the variety of characteristics present in our community. There are a number of reasons why discovering diversity potential can aid the overall performance of a company. Some of which include the understanding of different cultures, paths of life and social structures while amalgamating them into the systems and practices of a business. 

The Level 4 Award in Discovering Diversity Potential in the Workplaceon offer at Learning Worksis intended to strengthen the knowledge of theoretical and practical uses in the workforce. This 3-month course guides those individuals working as department or organisation managers to conduct their work in a smooth and culturally sensitive manner. These qualities can help managers strengthen their relationship with employees and clients. 

So whether you’re looking to establish or advance your knowledge in diversity related areas, or if you’re a professional working in management and eager to develop your skills; this course could be your solution. Understanding the best ways to cater to a diverse workforce is vital if you’re looking to promote a healthy and productive workspace for your staff to work in. A positive mindset where an employee’s cultural, ethical and social needs are taken into consideration triggers creativity, boosts a brighter mentality and instigates a ‘can-do’ attitude in your staff. Not to mention heighten innovation through cosmopolitan ideologies. 

Over the years, Malta has developed into a highly cosmopolitan melting pot where communities hailing from different lands have settled to call Malta their home. As a result, the workforce has developed into a multi-national office catering to a vast array of cultural backgrounds – all of which can contribute to their company’s success. 

A happy worker is a busy worker so investing time, as a manager or aspiring leader, in your team will lead to increased productivity for the company as a whole. This course will give students model techniques, tools and approaches to best structure diversity potential and also focuses on rewarding staff for their hard work and fruitful results. A diverse team can give a company the best results, but there are a few risks involved that should not be overlooked.

Luckily, the Level 4 course incorporates challenging aspects such as different native languages, cultural practices and different cultural techniques of conducting work into the programme. Understanding strategies on how to find a happy medium for all your employees to feel comfortable to work in will prevent inequalities and discrimination in the work place. This includes harassment and victimisation, two factors that will be viewed from a legal standpoint. Reaching quantitative targets by ensuring a working body that incorporates the qualities of both men and women while including minority groups into the workforce. 

As free-thinking individuals, we are all equipped with a variety of skills and competences that when put together can create a productive and encouraging energy that relies on teamwork and good leadership. 

The Level 4 Award in Discovering Diversity Potential in the Workplace is vital to those who want to develop their know-how in creating synergies and strategies to cope with diversity and create a welcoming and more inclusive working environment in local and international organisations. 

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Practical care for individuals with disabilities: the art of support

Caring in general is a vocational career path- working with people is never an easy task, understanding temperament, character as well as identifying pain, discomfort or stress can heighten the challenges of the job. Learning how to support persons with disabilities is a rewarding, inspiring and highly respectable job choice, but learning how to do this job well requires a good amount of training. 

The Award in Supporting Individuals with Disabilitiesis a 3-month long course on offer by Learning Worksand takes into consideration all the facets that can empower, improve and facilitate the livelihood of persons with disabilities. This specialist work-related course is targeted to those compassionate individuals who believe in the potential persons with disabilities can achieve if they are guided and encouraged by their peers. Apart from the theoretical aspect of the course, registered students will get a hands-on experience with clients. These practical sessions will take place in HILA Homesand other partner organisations that can best attain the high level of standards that Learning Works infuses into all its recognised courses. 

The theoretical part of the course precedes the practical segment and equips learners with the knowledge on how to approach their patients. The Award in Supporting Persons with Disabilities is divided into 6 Units, which upon completion will result in 12 ECTS and the skills to manage the job successfully. 

Unit 1 introduces the context in which students will be taking on their on-site training and future careers, the main scope of this unit is to embody a vision of inclusion into the lives of persons with disabilities. Factors such as human rights, advocacy, empowerment and active participation will be introduced through a communication fueled classroom structure. 

Communication is a major part of any individuals social, psychological, emotional and spiritual well-being therefore during Unit 2 students will learn the most effective ways of creating a positive environment for healthy conversation skills to develop. In a day and age where social media is our most common form of contact, a focus on the building and managing of social networks will also be explored. 

Other key factors such as reacting to a crisis and identifying the best solution to the emergency will be tackled in Unit 3, ethical arguments such as dignity, quality of life and the rights of individuals with disabilities will be brought up in Unit 4 while Units 5 and 6 will focus on the theoretical and practical facets of the job respectively. 

Working as a carer is admirable but caring for those individuals with disabilities is a devotion to the most vulnerable part of society. Carrying out this vocational career with responsibility, compassion, empathy and sensitivity will result in a kinder, more genuine world of inclusion. 

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The Making of a Good Leader

Have you ever stated, with adamant passion, “If I were in charge, I would…”, followed by a series of quickly thought up solutions to annoying problems in your workplace? Well, more often than not, little problems in the office are usually sourced from even bigger problems that need a whole lot of coaching in leadership and management skills. It’s not as simple and straightforward as it may seem; but with the proper training delivered by Learning Works, office issues can eagerly be tackled no matter their size. 

Learning Works is a company firmly set on the principles of improving the workforce, strengthening employee and employer skills and encouraging healthy working environment. Due to a noticeable gap in middle management skills, Learning Works has developed a 60-credit Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Managementprogramme that trains and encourages new managers to find their path in properly running a tight, yet fair, ship. Starting in October 2019 this 18-months part time course will provide students with the necessary tools to be able to lead a team in an effective way.

The The Level 4 Award in Leadership and Management  focusing on management skills, on offer at Learning Works. This programme is set to develop skills necessary for managers to take on the demanding role they are faced with on a day-to-day basis. From management performance to planning team activity, leadership styles to dealing with customer experience and ultimately evaluating risk at the workplace, this course gets the ball rolling in a steady upward direction.

Learning all the skills necessary to become an approachable and relatable manager may sound easy but there’s a very fine line between being the fun boss your employees will crack a joke with and another employee your team will easily walk over. Being the tough boss can be hard, it can be an intimidating or uncomfortable technique for your character but finding that balance of understanding yet firm is what helps middle managers boost their careers to top, C Level management. 

Setting up meeting structures, evaluating business objectives, analysing potential company projects and monitoring workforce’s overall morale is what a great manager does for the benefit of their employer. With skills learnt throughout these two courses, increased job opportunitiesmay be on the horizon. 

Managing people is a skill in itself but learning how to properly take on the challenges a day’s work brings is an essential part of getting the job done right. These courses will guide you in the right path towards management success – bringing professionalism, positive work ethic and work-life balance to the workforce with full power. 

To apply for this course send an email to [email protected] and we will get back to you with more details.

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Speaking the culture; the Maltese way

When visiting a country there are a few checkpoints we like to tick off before booking tickets and landing on the new destination. If you’re hunting down the next new location to call home there are a few more pressing points to consider, like language and culture.

Malta is a great place to live; the 300+ days of sunshine, the beautiful blue sea, the friendliness of the people and the close proximity of various amenities in all cities and towns is what makes Maltese life so special. But there are also cultural elements foreigners living in Malta should learn about when living on the islands. There are also a few phrases, basic means of communication and key words newly settled locals should hope to adopt into their new life. What better way than through an inclusive Level 1 Award in Maltese Language and Cultural Orientation.  

Learning Works is an academy that focuses on stimulating the minds of those looking to increase their skills and ability in their current profession or to inspire others to aim for new and rewarding careers. No matter your career choice, if you are living in Malta, your chances of inclusion in the workplace will increase drastically with a little knowledge in the country’s language and cultural norms. 

The Level 1 Award in Maltese Language and Cultural Orientation targets individuals from different occupational paths who are looking to learn basic communication skills in Maltese for professional, social and academic purposes. All non-Maltese looking to apply for a residency permit on the island are also encouraged to look into the course. 

The course is aimed at students who are entirely new to the language and the country’s cultural twangs. There are no requirements to join in on the learning so the course will start from scratch, to make sure all applicants are on the same page. With every lesson comes a new challenge, a new titbit of information that will make living on the islands a whole lot more pleasurable. 

If you’re working in the hospitality[1] industry it might come in handy to learn the local words for dishes your restaurant serves, and if you work in construction[2] there’s a whole lot of jargon you’d rather be saying in Maltese. The same applies to other sectors. Throughout the course you’ll be learning the very basics of Maltese grammar as well as take on some local expressions that will get you through the working day. 

Cultural expressions and customs will also be highlighted in the duration of the Maltese course offered by Learning Works, where important vocabulary and correct usage of social conversation starters will give your day a whole lot more substance. You’ll be starting up conversations at work or out on the town in no time! 

To apply for this course please send an email to [email protected].


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Equip your heart with the skills of a caregiver

Being a good caregiver is a natural trait fortunate individuals are born with but even though your heart may be in it, are your caregiving skills showing the love?

Our biggest wealth is definitely our health so gaining knowledge in the sector of healthare so it goes without saying that any form of investment in healthcare training is welcome. The healthcare industry in Malta is one that has blossomed into a professional outlet for the elderly to write home about. The need for professional caretakers on the island has led NCHFE-accredited Learning Works to provide a Level 4 Award in Advanced Healthcare course tailored to this vocation.

Built on a solid foundation of  over 25 years in the healthcare industry, Learning Works, a member of the Vassallo Group, are devoted to the compassionate and rewarding vocation of care taking. Our expertise in the field has been recognized by City and Guilds to entrust the title of sole provider for the healthcare courses their school embodies. Offering opening courses such as City and Guilds Diploma in Healthcare and the City and Guilds Specialist Diploma in Healthcare to all those who aspire to serve in this sector. 

That said, the Level 4 Award in Advanced Healthcare requires a preliminary foundation of knowledge that can be achieved through the Diploma and Specialist Diploma courses offered by Learning Works. The Advanced Healthcare course equips already qualified professionals with in-depth knowledge in the healthcare industry. Take Adiel Micallef’s advice;


“I always loved the healthcare sector. I’m young and still learning, but the course really guided me on how to deal with older people who are more vulnerable, to sit down and listen when they are lonely and to be patient.”

This course is developed for current carers to fully enable themselves into providing high quality care that tends to the elderly’s needs. The increased knowledge will allow candidates to access vocational work fit for only the best. So whether students work as social care assistants or as care assistants in residential or domiciliary settings, their career will skyrocket in the industry, hopefully even inspiring successful students to aim for managerial jobs within the industry. 

The course requires 120 contact hours and stretches over a 5-month period that is tailored around the hectic modern lifestyle encouraging young adults to strive for success. The jam-packed syllabus takes on the many angles of the profession and equips students with knowledge and a can-do attitude. By the end of this course all who graduate are sure to adopt an emotionally intelligent approach to caregiving based on the principles of support and care. Further information you may send an  email to [email protected]or call +356 21432333 ext 219. You may also visit our website caremltacademy.wpengine.com

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How coaching can change performance

Performing well in something always gives you that boost of confidence and self-worth that most people look for. Performing well in your job motivates and inspires you to work that little bit harder; and when your effort is recognised; that fire burns even brighter leaving you hungry for more and more success. 

Managers are blessed with the responsibility to guide their teams towards this success and the only way to do so it to motivate employees in a professional and ethical manner – the Managing Performance and Coaching course may guide new and existing managers towards exceptional business success. This New Horizons course offered by Learning Works is a great opportunity for managers to equip themselves with the necessary tools to coach and mentor their staff towards efficient performance management. Achieving a Level 5Managing Performance and Coaching certification can open your eyes to a new approach of getting things done to your company’s expectations. 

Guiding your employees towards mutual company success starts with the simplest of practices such as properly conducting a structured meeting and setting business objectives – these strong suits are major focus points in the Managing Performance and Coaching course and can be added to your skill set through theoretical and practical sessions. 

Other practices tackled in this Level 5 certification include the setting of KPIs for all employees, conducting appropriate appraisals, the guidance and mentoring of staff and the most effective techniques adopted to approach poor performance issues. It goes without saying that as a manager, these issues, good and bad, are dealt with on a daily basis, but evaluating your personal approaches and skills will only improve your abilities as a manager. 

As in every field of work, the more you know and the better you perform, the higher the chances of your professional success. Finding new opportunities may be made easier by means of the management courseson offer at Learning Works; with experts mentoring their students throughout the programme, providing individual attention, group discussions, strategic planning techniques and other result-worthy methods to unleash each student’s full potential. 

Apart from gaining full exposure from the Learning Works experts, you will be improving your professional self among like-minded individuals whose value for professionalism is seen in the same light. Learning from others is always encouraging, and doing so in a guided, structured environment can generate a positive thinking mentality in the workforce. 

Visit caremltacademy.wpengine.com to learn more.

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English language courses at Learning Works boost your skills

English has pretty rapidly become the global language of communication around the world. Whether you need to brush up your skills for social skills or perfect your business jargon to seal a super deal, studying English as a foreign language is a great idea.

Whenever investing your money into education your choice of schooling should be entrusted in a programme with a proven track record, a world of knowledge and a legacy of success. Luckily, Learning Works can ensure all that and more with the English language courses on offer at A1, A2, B1 and B2 levels and even through a homegrown 30-hour course leading to a Level 1 (EQF/MQF) Award in the English Language. These courses are intended as supported entrance to other courses on offer at Learning Works and can also be seen as supplementary backing to your overall performance in your career.

Gaining the skills and confidence to use the lingua franca at a communicative level is a necessity for the working world, especially when working in the hospitality sector. Building your speaking skills with great vocabulary choices, interesting idioms and effective speech patterns gives you a greater chance to find and keep a job that makes you happy. The Level 3 Award in Professional Service in Hospitality, Food and Beverage on offer at Learning Works requires candidates to fully understand the English language so as to provide a thorough experience of the course. A high level of English understanding and communicative skills also encourages better performance on the job.

Living up to modern day standards, English is used as the common language all over the world so job opportunities that crop up across the globe are a whole lot more achievable, as are experiences outside your native land. The likelihood of having to speak English in a management position is massive, therefore all Level 4 Leadership and Management students are also urged to develop advanced English skills before or while taking the course.

Malta is a sunny island in the heart of the Mediterranean and holds English as one of the national languages in its multilingual society. Studying English with Learning Works proves to be a great opportunity to enjoy the perks of an English-speaking country where the sun, sea and beaches are calling your name.

Apart from learning new skills in class, practicing the English language while discovering the sites is also a great possibility. Learning Works has developed a curriculum that encourages leisurely activities where in-class techniques can be put to the test. Through their employment scheme perhaps? In studying for a diploma of any calibre within the healthcare industry, Learning Works develops a programme for graduated specialists to put their healthcare and English skills to good use while tending to their new found clients.

Learning Works’ qualified teachers class students in the best level for them; making sure every student is challenged within reach and pushed to excel through every stage of the CEFR. Classes start from A1 and progress all the way to B2. The higher levels gain professionals access to increased opportunities in course choices and job opportunities.

Learning Works employ qualified and experienced teachers to teach students of all backgrounds to learn a language that can be considered a ticket around the globe.