Future Talent Forum

Malta – SkillScape Global

September 16-17, 2026

A two-day executive forum for the global leaders responsible for building a future-ready workforce.

Established in 2023, the National Skills Council of Malta operates as an executive government body focused on advancing skill development to foster a resilient workforce for the nation.

Global

+250 leaders adding a diverse set of perspectives, insights, and connections from around the world.

Cross-sector

Government, business, and public policy leaders converging across sectors to build workforce systems that scale.

Impact

From insight to implementation. Every session is designed to move the conversation from global intelligence to actionable strategies.

Curated

Every seat in the room is intentional. This forum brings together the leaders with the opportunity to drive change in organizations and systems.

Future Ready, People First

This gathering brings together leaders to examine what it takes to future-proof people at scale, and to design work and learning systems that turn insight into sustained, real-world resilience.

As AI takes on more of the cognitive load, the advantage shifts – from knowledge to application. From skills to capability. From individuals to systems. The challenge is no longer training people, but building environments where human judgment, adaptability, and performance can emerge, enhance, and scale.

Nations will compete on how effectively their systems enable people to evolve – and evolve again. Competitive edge will no longer come from building skills, but from building resilience: capability that holds under pressure and adapts across changing conditions.

In Malta, this shift is being actively explored: How to translate global insight and national ambition into practical, on-the-ground systems, from non-formal learning and youth pathways to workforce strategies that deliver in an uncertain future.

Dates

September 16-17, 2026

Location

Valletta, Malta

Venue

Mediterranean
Conference Centre

Forum Highlights

Welcome to Malta – SkillScape Global

Valletta

Positioned at the crossroads of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, Valletta reflects Malta’s growing role in conversations around talent, technology, and economic transformation.

Its blend of international business, education, policymaking, and digital innovation makes it a fitting setting to examine how AI, shifting workforce expectations, and demographic change are reshaping the future of work and learning.

As one of Europe’s most globally connected small states, Malta offers a distinct perspective on how countries and institutions can adapt quickly, build resilience, and compete through human capability in a rapidly changing world.

The Mediterranean Conference Centre

Overlooking Valletta’s Grand Harbour, the Mediterranean Conference Centre stands as one of Malta’s most iconic historic landmarks – a 16th century architectural site transformed into a modern venue for international dialogue and collaboration.

As the long-standing home of Malta’s annual SkillScape conference alongside the National Skills Council, the venue has become closely associated with conversations shaping the country’s future workforce, leadership, and innovation agenda.

Its blend of history and modernity reflects a philosophy shared by the Future Talent Council: the future is not built separately from the past.

Agenda

Event Partners

Institute for Education Logo
Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology Logo

FTC 2026 Strategic Partners

Mentimeter Logo
Lightcast Logo
Magnet Logo

Speakers

Hon. Dr. Byron Camilleri

Hon. Dr. Byron Camilleri

Minister of Education and Sport

Daniel Kjellsson

Daniel Kjellsson

Director-General, Future Talent Council

Monika Bielskyte

Monika Bielskyte

Founder of Protopia Futures. Former Futurist-in-Residence at NIKE

El Iza Mohamedou

El Iza Mohamedou

Head of the OECD Centre for Skills

Mark Patterson

Mark Patterson

Executive Director, Magnet at Toronto Metropolitan University

John Fischetti

John Fischetti

Chair, Future Talent Council Center for Education Transformation

Gretchen Neisler

Gretchen Neisler

Vice Provost for Global Engagement, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Elena Magrini

Elena Magrini

Head of Global Research at Lightcast

Dr. Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando

Dr. Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando

Executive Chairman at National Skills Council Malta

Tania Lennon

Tania Lennon

Executive Director, Strategic Talent Lab, IMD

Matthew Vella

Matthew Vella

Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Education and Sport

Matthew Costa

Matthew Costa

Chief Executive Officer at National Development and Social Fund

Christina Lewis

Christina Lewis

Chief People Officer, C40 Cities

Clayton Micallef Grimaud

Clayton Micallef Grimaud

Senior Director, National Skills Council Malta

Luke McKeever

Luke McKeever

CEO at Thomas

Adrian Furnham

Adrian Furnham

Professor, BI Norwegian Business School

Kenneth Brincat

Kenneth Brincat

Chief Executive Officer, Malta Digital Innovation Authority

Julian Philips

Julian Philips

Author and AI Philosopher

Dylan Seychell

Dylan Seychell

Lead (UM) for Malta’s National AI Literacy Programme

Danielle Solar

Danielle Solar

Executive Director, Future Talent Council

Membership

Memberships are organizational and by nomination

Governance

A limited corporation governed under Swedish law, and the EU Transparency Act

Independence

Future Talent Council is independent, impartial and not tied to any special interests

 

Locations

Globally distributed organization headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden

Member

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