Access to Employment Scheme

Access to Employment (A2E) Scheme provides employment aid to enterprises in Malta and Gozo to promote the recruitment of the more challenged amongst jobseekers and inactive persons. Through this scheme, the integration into the labour market is facilitated by: Enhancing opportunities to access the labour market and providing work experience to those furthest away from gainful employment; Bridging the gap between labour market supply and demand; Increasing social cohesion. The Scheme is demand driven and grants will be awarded on a first-come first-served basis, subject to the annual ceilings and total budget.

The A2E Scheme is co-financed by the European Social Fund, the Maltese Government and employers.

Eligibility of the Employer

The applicant must meet all the eligibility criteria to benefit from this scheme. Eligible applicants cover all employers irrespective of their legal form with the exception of public entities, Government Departments and when the Government has majority (over 50%) shareholding in the applicant entity.  

Employers applying for the A2E Scheme whose application is found eligible will receive a subsidy of €110.93 (full-time) / €55.47 (part-time) per week per new recruit engaged, for a period of 52 weeks or 104 weeks, depending on the target group.

In the case of registered disabled persons, a subsidy of €166.40 (full-time) / €83.20 (part-time) per week for a maximum of 156 weeks is provided. 

Rates will be revised on an annual basis to include the cost of living increase.

Eligibility of the Participant

Target Groups

Disadvantaged Persons

  1. Any person of age 24 and over who has been unemployed/inactive for the previous 6 months;
  2. Any unemployed person of age between 15 to 24 who previously participated and completed Jobsplus Scheme and is recruited for the first-time following the initiative of such initiatives.
  3. Any person who is living as a single adult who has one or more dependents and is not in full-time employment;   
  4. Any person of age 24 and over who has not attained an upper secondary educational or vocational qualification (ISCED 3), who does not have a job.
  5. Any person older than 50 years who does not have a job;   

Severely Disadvantaged Persons

  • Any person who has been unemployed / inactive for the previous 12 months and who belongs to one of the disadvantaged target groups (3) to (5).
  • Any person of age 24 and over who has been unemployed / inactive for the previous 24 months.

Persons with Disability

  • Any person who who is a registered disabled person under national law.

Application Process

Complete applications must be submitted by the end of December 2027 and recruitment must take place by end December 2027. In case the budget is fully committed, Jobsplus reserve the right to close the scheme before the deadline without any public notification.

Payment timeframes

The subsidy can be claimed by the beneficiary upon completion of every 13 or 26 week period. In case the grant agreement is prematurely terminated the beneficiary can claim for subsidy until the termination date of employment.

Claims for Reimbursement are expected to be processed by Jobsplus within a timeframe of three months from receipt of complete reimbursement documentation and any clarifications sought. Jobsplus shall not be held responsible for any delay due to reasons beyond its control. It is the responsibility of the Employer to ensure that all the relevant documentations are correct and sent in time in order not to slow down the process.


Applications

Application A2E