November 21, 2024 at 2:05 pm
A person-centered perspective to People Management
A person centred perspective dominated the discussion on People Management carried out during the conference organised by the Malta Union of Teachers. The Conference saw the participation of practitioners in HR, People Management, Corporate Services, academia and trade unionists with an equally varied audience of educators and other personnel interested in the theme. A welcoming address was delivered by Mr Charlo Bonnici, Chief Executive of the Mediterranean College of Sport which hosted the event. Mr Bonnici explained that this was the first time since its recent opening that the Malta College of Sports has hosted an external event and the school appreciates MUT’s decision to host this seminal conference in its own premises.
Mr Chris Vella, Assistant General Secretary of the MUT introduced the conference, noting the importance of the theme of People Management, that is ‘person-centred’.
The keynote address was carried out by Mr Frederick Schembri, a distinguished leader in the Maltese pharmaceutical sector. Mr Schembri highlighted the challenges educators and management face in the changing socio-economic and technological landscape, and the key role of People management in fostering the human resources and ensuring that all stakeholders play their part for the collective good. As an entrepreneur, he also pointed out the responsibility of businesses in not expecting educational institutions to be solely accountable for the formation of tomorrow’s workers. Indeed, industry needs to provide continuous training to promote upskilling and reskilling.
A panel discussion saw the participation of Ms Claire Briffa, COO, Corporate Services at ITS, Ms Lucienne Calleja Director Education Resources at the Education Ministry and Mr Chris Attard President of UPAP and Vice President of For.U.M. The panel was chaired by Ms Sherona Debono. The discussion focused on the role played by People Management, highlighting its positive and negative aspects and possible initiatives that can be adopted to enhance this role as an effective tool in enhancing workplace relations.
A number of interventions from the floor enriched the discussion. These included interventions from Dr Ian Mifsud (SfCE), Dr Rose Anne Cuschieri (MFHEA), Prof Glen Farrugia (ITS) Mr Paul Xuereb (UM, JC), Ms Mary Scicluna (MEYR), Mr Michael Bondin (FES), Mr Pierre Fenech (ITS). They delved on the critical role played by people management including recruitment and the appraisal of employees through the professional growth conversation, the skill of proper listening, empathy and attention and the duty of care towards employees. It was noted that this often causes considerable stress on People managers who also need to be supported, to be in a position to continue caring for the employees under their responsibility. This also involves gently nudging people towards innovation and change, which is often resisted by employees. In this context, persons in this pivotal role need to be both ‘managers’ and ‘leaders’ who inspire, empower, untap potential and pull employees towards the long-term collective good.
The conference proceeded with the address of Ms Elaine Germani, MUT Senior Vice President who shared her personal experience in people management, and from the feedback she continually receives from MUT members. She emphasised the importance of listening with empathy, to be aware of the wider lived reality of employees and the sense of respect and sensitivity that should remain at the core of personal relationships at the workplace.
Mr Marco Bonnici, MUT President gave a touching tribute to former Senior Vice President Norman Grech who passed away earlier this year. His address focussed on the need to look beyond education for good examples on people management affirming that educators are experts in curriculum, pedagogy and assessment but cannot be experts in people management which is also an area practiced in fields outside education. He emphasised the need to tackle the negative practices adopted and which are still widespread in the profession. Mr Bonnici introduced also the video production on the work of MUT during the last term, which was projected during the conference.
Mr Matthew Vella, Permanent Secretary at the Education Ministry spoke appreciatively on the role played by the Union in social dialogue based on mutual trust and respect. He acknowledged MUT as one of the stakeholders contributing to the National Strategy for Education (2024-2030) whilst mentioning the importance of the discussions held with MUT leading to a new sectoral agreement. He stressed the need of a person-centred approach with the core value of holistic wellbeing.
Hon Justin Schembri addressed the conference recalling his past experience both as a teacher and as an active member of the MUT and its structures. He emphasised that teachers often feel ‘lonely’ in the classroom and therefore need continual support by colleaugues and by the employer. He recalled how as a young politician, despite being advised to prioritise students over educators, he always understood the need to support educators. He also acknowledged the positive impact of the Sectoral Agreement and the National Strategy for Education.
The Minister for Education, Youth, Sport Research and Innovation Hon Clifton Grima addressed the conference, expressing gratitude for the role played by the MUT in the educational sector. He referred to the video production that was shared at the Conference that highlighted the substantial work carried out by the Union. He noted that while the Union often resorted to industrial actions, the social dialogue between the two sides was always strong, with a robust commitment to the wellbeing of both educators and students.
The Conference was concluded with a resume by Mr Chris Vella, Assistant General Secretary. While looking at the challenges in education as reflecting the wider complications of society, he hinted at the almost ‘pastoral’ role played by people managers that need to take on the iconic image of the ‘pastor’/ ‘shepherd’ providing an important balance between management and leadership, and duty of care towards employees. After listing several points mentioned by the respective speakers, Mr Vella stressed the importance of support for people managers who are often placed in stressful situations because of internal employer-employee dynamics and personal circumstances that effect the overall ambience at the workplace. He concluded his address by thanking the MUT Officials, the Council, the MUT staff and the guest speakers for the contribution in the Conference.
