MGA releases Skills Gap Report unveiling insights into workforce trends, industry challenges

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has released a new report analyzing the skills gap in the online gaming industry, based on surveys conducted between 2020 and 2024. The findings, reflecting data from 2019 to 2023, provide insights into workforce trends, challenges, and opportunities across MGA-licensed activities in Malta.

Key findings from the report:

Positive labor market dynamics

• 75.8% of surveyed respondents rated Malta positively in areas such as labor market trends, skills availability, and training opportunities when compared to other jurisdictions.

Vacancy trends in 2023

• At the end of 2023, 74.9% of job vacancies had been open for less than three months.
• There were 92.5 vacancies per 1,000 employees in MGA-licensed activities, with a total of 885 open positions reported by online gaming companies in Malta.

Vacancy breakdown by level

• 79.2% of open positions were at the operational level. 
• 18.8% were in middle management, while top management roles accounted for 2.0% of total vacancies.

Roles in demand

• Marketing roles (including customer care) represented 21.1% of vacancies, while technology-related positions made up 16.8%.

Top barriers to recruitment

The most common reasons for unfilled vacancies over the reporting period were:

• Lack of work experience.
• Competition from other firms.
• Insufficient qualifications.

Recruitment trends in 2023

• 84.9% of surveyed firms hired personnel from other companies within the industry.
• Only 25.8% were recruited directly from university graduates, underscoring the need for better alignment between educational programs and industry needs.

Addressing skills gaps

• 71.7% of firms implemented in-house training or mentoring programs to address skill shortages.
• 55.4% intensified employee retention efforts as a strategy to close skills gaps.

MGA CEO Charles Mizzi commented on the report’s findings: “As Malta’s gaming industry evolves, it is essential to adapt and strengthen the foundations that support its success.

“The Skills Gap Report reveals important insights into the challenges and opportunities ahead, particularly the need for targeted skills development and stronger partnerships between educational institutions and industry. By addressing these priorities, we can ensure sustainable growth and maintain Malta’s leadership in the global gaming ecosystem.”

A full copy of the survey can be downloaded from here.