It is no secret that Malta’s labour force has been transitioning through a period of unprecedented change over the past decade. In fact, according to recent statistics issued by JobsPlus, non-Maltese now make up over a quarter of the total labour force on the island, which has seen the number of foreign national workers in Malta shoot up from 9,500 in 2009 to close to 80,000 a decade later.

At AX Group, the shortage of local talent in industries such as hospitality, healthcare, and construction has resulted in the need to recruit foreign workers. In just one example pertaining to our business, within our construction division alone our headcount has gone from under 200 employees to over 300 over the past year, with the majority of these employees hailing from countries such as Turkey, India, and Southeast Asia.

While employing foreign nationals presents several challenges, such as obtaining the necessary work permits and visas, it also brings the need to address certain psychological and cultural challenges in order to ensure these employees are successfully integrated and supported at the place of work.

Many foreign workers arrive in Malta unfamiliar with the island and its culture, often having left behind families and loved ones in pursuit of better livelihoods and opportunities. It is crucial to acknowledge the bravery and sacrifices they make in choosing to work in an unfamiliar country. At times, they may experience feelings of loneliness and isolation, which will inevitably impact their performance and motivation. Not having adequate support networks in place, such as family or friends, can also make the transition to a new job in a new country more challenging. Employers who acknowledge the unique experiences and difficulties faced by foreign workers can establish effective initiatives that promote their successful integration into the workforce.  This will lead to a job that brings them a sense of fulfilment and pride.

AX Group is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone is treated with fairness and respect. As an equal opportunities employer, AX Group ensures that all job candidates and employees are considered on the basis of their skills, abilities, and potential, rather than their background, gender, age, race, religion, or any other personal characteristic.  To support its commitment to equal opportunities, AX Group has established policies and practices that promote diversity and inclusion at all levels of the organization.

We believe that open communication is crucial for fostering a positive work culture. That’s why we encourage employees to share their ideas and perspectives, and to listen and learn from one another. To build relationships among colleagues, we also encourage foreign nationals to participate in company events and activities, including cross-cultural celebrations of religious festivities such as Christmas and Diwali.

Additionally, we provide professional development opportunities to help foreign nationals advance in their careers. We encourage them to take advantage of training programs and mentorship opportunities to enhance their skills and achieve their career goals. Here, we strive to create an inclusive environment where everyone is treated fairly and has equal access to opportunities. Our goal is to embody this ideal and show all employees that they are valued and respected, regardless of their race or religion.

We have seen time and again that our patience and perseverance on this front has paid dividends. We dedicate a lot of time and energy into fostering cross-cultural respect and understanding among our teams, and today, our multi-culturalism has become one of our major strengths. Our commitment has resulted in a diverse and unified workforce, enriched with a multitude of skills, expertise, innovative ideas, and craftsmanship.

However, we also acknowledge the need to do more to make a positive impact in any way we can to enhance the situation for all.

To this end, we are proud to have partnered with the recently founded Malta ESG Alliance (MESGA). Together with 12 other local business leaders, this private sector consortium is actively working together to tackle environmental, social, and governance priorities to contribute to a more sustainable and socially equitable Malta. In line with these efforts, AX Group remains a vocal advocate for improved policies that ensure fair and proper payment for all workers, both local and foreign. We strive for a system that supports foreign nationals entering the workforce, ensuring that they feel secure and not exploited or subjected to unjust treatment.

By understanding the unique challenges that foreign nationals face, providing support and resources, creating a welcoming and inclusive work environment, fostering a culture of open communication, encouraging employee engagement, and providing opportunities for professional development, businesses in Malta can help foreign nationals integrate into the workforce and feel valued and supported.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that this is not a one-time effort but a continuous process that requires commitment and dedication. It’s important to assess and evaluate the progress, take feedback, and make necessary adjustments to the strategies employed. By doing so, we can guarantee that we are fostering a welcoming environment for individuals of all backgrounds while maintaining Malta’s appeal as a desirable workplace for foreign nationals seeking better prospects beyond their home countries.

Life has taught me many things but above all, experience has taught me certain simplicities which are so logical and have an absolute natural flow. Today’s busy life, unfortunately, doesn’t allow us much time to stop and think. One must really be aware of this, in order to break the cycle, reason things out objectively without interruptions and see clearly the logic in things.

I truly believe that in our workplace, it is all about input and output, in its very literal sense. If we input something wrong in our PC, it will be registered wrongly and consequentially it will be interpreted wrongly too, leading us to wrong decisions and a bad output. Likewise, if we give X amount of energy into what we are working on, it will usually give you back that energy in return, whether it is physical, mental or numerical, in the short or long term. Similarly, if we don’t give the right amount of focus to whatever it is we are working on, we will never reap the energy we expect in return. Input = Output. In my head, it is very clear.

On a different note, what affects us similarly is the ‘input’ we give to ourselves, mentally, physically and spiritually. So, logically, if we invest time in stimulating ourselves, mentally, physically or spiritually, we will naturally feel better about ourselves, and consequently, reap the results of that. I look at us as if we were a tank. If the tank is full of bad energy, how can we fill it with good energy? We first need to make space for it, and secondly, start replacing the bad energy with the good energy. This process can never take place if we don’t consciously work hard on it. If we don’t take control of our lives, our lives will take over us. There is no such thing as, my work conditions don’t allow that to happen, or my family needs are too demanding, or the hours, or a ton of other ‘reasons’, which ultimately boil down to excuses. If we REALLY want to take control of our life and how we feel, we just do it. We stop to think and see which are the things we CAN change that can help us achieve this. In this process, we must not stop at the first layer of trial we encounter. One needs to really dig in and uncover all the layers until we come to our true feelings and causes involved. Example: if you would like to really find time for yourself and are not able to find 30mins to yourself every day, one needs to delve into the reasons why. Is it work? What can we do about it?

Find the right people to help you tackle it. Truthfully in my understanding, there are no excuses from whichever level, that inhibit you to find those 30 mins to yourself daily. Surely, solutions can ALWAYS be found, and if you don’t manage to get it daily due to justified causes, then at least you make sure you get that same time on a weekly basis at a stretch, just to yourself. If one problem is presented to us, dig into that problem and try to find solutions. If you find another problem in the process, you again try to find solutions to that new problem. And if you find further problems, you repeat the process, until you find a solution to all the problems you are faced with.

Where there is a will, there is ALWAYS A WAY. On a personal level, same thing. If we are challenged with time due to family commitments, we repeat this same process and see where a compromise can be found. I am a single mum of three children, running multiple businesses in different industries with multiple brands, and like everyone else, I struggle to find time for myself with all the commitments I have that are almost impossible to delegate to, but somehow, I manage. Hence why I speak with conviction and passion about this. Investing time in myself has not only given ME a breath of fresh air, but has also focused my thinking which in turn the company is gaining from. I work extremely long hours too. Once my children are settled at school, they don’t see me before minimum 6pm, but I make sure that I make up for every minute of that time they didn’t find me at home after school, or any other time I had to be missing from home due to a work event. To do that, it takes me a lot of pain staking effort to co-ordinate and plan ahead, but I realize now that if I am not ahead of it, things will get on top of me, and I will never be on top of things.

On the contrary, I understand that I will be right there at the very bottom of that stack of things to do and guilty of not doing, buried in the helpless zone, and to add insult to injury, I would pull my family and my business down with me. Today, I can recognize this very clearly as I have lived it. Hence why I found the urge to share this with you and serve as some inspiration for those of you who feel are feeling stuck in the zone. You don’t need to make radical changes, just an internal change by being conscious of this very fact, the input determines the output.

Should we choose to live life with so much determination, the result of that energy will surely be seen and felt significantly. When we create room for choice, we are happier as we feel that we are part of that choice, and we are masters of our destiny not conditioned by our destiny. If we allow ourselves to make good choices, then we become happier. If we are happier, less anxious and stressed, then we are generally more productive at work as well as in our personal lives. It is a big ripple effect. It starts from within. Being happier also makes us more creative and frees us up to think out of the box. Thus, we facilitate THE change that is needed in this very fast life we are living. This frees us from those walls that sometimes seem to be holding us back.

When we feel fulfilled, everything else around us, within our daily reach, will work in harmony. It has a direct effect. If not immediate, in the short to medium term. The same applies with our nutrition. Not that I am a nutrition expert, by no means, but I now realize that we are literally what we eat, drink, think and breathe. We are a produce of our own making. We can go through life being masters of our destiny. The choice is ours!

Since launching in 2014, AX Care has made a name for itself as one of the finest residential and flexible care service providers in Malta. Central to AX Care’s values is a community spirit that’s built on genuine trust and respect for people. And this isn’t a standard of behaviour that applies to residents and their families only but also to the entire team working across AX Care’s diverse operations, which include Hilltop Gardens, Simblija Care Home, and Revive Physiotherapy and Aquatic Centre.

Overseeing the employee wellbeing and talent recruitment side of the operation is HR Manager Luana Caruana. After completing a degree in Youth and Community Studies, where she trained to work with individuals with substance abuse addiction, Luana went on to read for Master’s degree, where she realised a career in HR was her true calling. “At heart, I am a people person and love to be around people, instilling positivity in their daily lives. So, a career transition into HR was ideal,” she explains.

In her role with AX Care, Luana works to find new and innovative ways to foster an engaging and supportive workplace, where people can find everything they need to build a fulfilling career that promotes wellness, growth, and progress. She is also responsible for recruiting new and promising talent to the business.

“Recruiting for the care sector takes a dedicated approach and that’s because the people we hire have a direct impact on the quality of care we offer our residents. So, first and foremost, I shortlist only the potential candidates who are genuine in their commitment to work in this sector. Over and above the standard qualifications, they need to be able to demonstrate that they can be dedicated to the job and compassionate towards people who are sometimes facing challenging circumstances.”

AX Care is also continuing to invest in young talent, empowering people to grow professionally through ample training and career progression opportunities within the sector. Luana herself works alongside all the teams to better understand what training and support employees need and to point them in the right direction.

“The fact that AX Group is  a large organisation with a well-established name in the Care sector is already an incredible opportunity in itself. I believe that young professionals who are ambitious and entrepreneurial, will quickly understand they are entering a workplace that rewards hard work and values their contributions. We also actively support promising talent as they climb towards positions of greater responsibility in the organisation,” she says.

Key to this upward mobility ethos in the AX Care workplace is a strong belief in the talent, vision, drive, and resourcefulness of young people to bring about the changes they want to see in their lives and careers.

“Throughout my youth and community studies, I found again and again that if you manifest that you believe in people, they will strive to change for the better, no matter how difficult the challenges ahead of them. Ultimately, it all boils down to attitude. You can coach and offer people all the tools they need, but it’s their drive and ambition that will make the difference.

“And this is where my role becomes important. As HR Manager, I strive to be emphatic and supportive in all circumstances, whilst ensuring that the right tools and resources are provided to the employees. Additionally, I believe that creating a positive work culture will only lead to a better mood overall which in turn leads to a more fulfilling job experience. This is why I focus on helping my colleagues see the bigger picture and show them that there is always some sort of solution to most problems. Such an approach can only serve to provide our people with the inspiration and encouragement they need to succeed in both their professional and personal life.”

Luana and her team also implement various initiatives to strengthen AX Care’s teams, ensuring they can thrive all year round. These include organising regular team building events and activities that enable employees to learn new skills while having the opportunity to relax and unwind together. Furthermore, the HR team looks to reward its people through acknowledging improvement and effort, and offering training, coaching, and mentoring.

“I truly believe that listening to our people is essential if we want them to succeed. That’s why we practice an open-door policy and encourage employees to reach out to their managers to discuss their concerns and career goals at any time. Instilling a culture of trust and open dialogue is crucial to building a workplace that fosters empowerment,” Luana explains.

As AX Care continues to grow and expand its operations, it also offers new opportunities for young professionals to join this growing team. What advice can one offer young candidates who are in the process of starting a career in the care sector?

“Working in the care sector can be tough and challenging but also an incredibly rewarding experience. More so when you have an employer like AX Group backing your career journey. With the company successfully operating for the past 44 years, candidates have peace of mind about job security. Furthermore, the Group continues to be innovative and diverse, encouraging entrepreneurship and creativity among all its young professionals. Just look at the future projects the company has announced—there are only bigger and brighter horizons ahead.’’

“So, for those reasons and many others, I strongly recommend AX Care as an employer. If you are ambitious, creative, and have genuine compassion for people, AX Care can offer you a fantastic career with so much to look forward to.”

Are you looking to embark on an exciting career in care? Then search our open vacancies today. We look forward to hearing from you.

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Oftentimes, work takes priority over everything else in our lives. The passion to succeed in our career can push us to forget other important aspects in life, including our own mental and physical well-being. That’s why it’s vital to have activities outside of work which ensure that we embrace a harmonious work-life balance. Although it is sometimes difficult to do so, it is always possible.

Andy Tanti, Our Director of Sales at AX The Palace, proves that if there’s a will, there’s a way. Apart from fulfilling a very challenging role at work, handling familial responsibilities, and reading for a Master’s Degree, Andy has also taken on coaching U6 children at the Mellieha Football School. Take a look at what he has to say about taking on this enjoyable but challenging role.

Why specifically football?

“I started playing football with my hometown club Rabat when I was six or seven years old, eventually leaving the club to pursue my career in hospitality. I cannot say that football is my favourite sport; that spot is dedicated to water sports. However, over the years, I have followed club and international football, and eventually, when my boys started playing, I was hooked again.”

How long have you been coaching?

“I have just started my second season coaching at the Mellieha Football School. During my first season, I was an assistant coach with the Under-8 team. This season, I’m coaching the Under-6 group. At this age, it is important to support their development through exciting and enjoyable training sessions that promote involvement and encourage kids to fall in love with playing football. My goal is to instil a sense of team spirit, collaboration, and the ability to deal with different and challenging situations whilst promoting children’s creativity and skills.”

What inspired you to start coaching children?

“I wanted to help my boys, Xandru, who is nine, and Gianni, seven, improve their skills and technique. So essentially, I started coaching to be able to help them. Luckily, my girls, Emma and Nina (I have four kids), did not ask me to help them with singing, dancing, or ballet!”

How do you juggle your time between family, work, studying, and coaching?

“It’s a daily challenge to balance everything whilst allowing enough time for my family and myself. My typical day, including weekends, starts at 5.30am to work on my Master’s Degree thesis for about 2 hours, have a quick breakfast, get ready, and leave home for work by 8am. The workday can be rather intensive, but at the same time gratifying. I try to leave the office by 6pm, which gives me enough time for an end-of-day swim at Xemxija, where I spend most of my summer evenings with my family. I coach on Mondays and Saturdays and play 5-a-side football on Wednesdays and Friday evenings. My children’s extracurricular activities generally take up every other minute during the day!”

Sports and extracurricular activities are very important, and children can be quite a handful! How do you personally benefit from this important role you were entrusted with?

“I have 14 kids in my U6 team. Keeping their attention while explaining different exercises and ensuring that they perform those same exercises correctly is a daunting task. It certainly takes a lot of patience – in fact, I had never imagined having that much patience! Coaching and playing football allows me to switch-off work and everything else for a couple of hours. Apart from the physical benefits, it’s a unique opportunity to take care of my mental health.”

What’s your advice to anyone out there who finds it difficult to juggle work and extracurricular activities?

“Maintaining a balance between work and non-work activities is essential for our mental well-being. I have learnt to manage my time better by colour-coding my daily calendar, so it becomes easy to identify time slots I can dedicate to myself. It is easy to fall into a vicious trap where you try to convince yourself you don’t have time or cannot do something. So start, give it your very best shot, do everything with passion, and time will find you.”

With one in five of Malta’s population being an expat, the country has become a veritable melting pot of cultures. Historically the Island has welcomed people from all corners of the world and foreigners have long come to our shores to seek a better future for themselves and their families.

Due to the global movement of people has now increased rapidly due to significant geo-political shifts, volatile economies as well as restrictions to personal liberties and poor handling of health care during the pandemic.  These reasons are only a few that are making more and more people consider moving to other countries where they can find better prospects and lifestyles than in their country of origin.

This influx of foreign workers into Malta is helping the country fill lacunae in many industries that keep the economy going. Their contribution is valuable to the local fabric in more ways than one. A country can only gain from having a population rich in diversity, in cultures, religions and traditions, helping to sow a mindset that allows different life perspectives, histories and experiences.

Cultural integration does not happen automatically and places of work need to not only be aware and acknowledge the many interactions at play when different people from various countries come together. They also need to proactively put conditions in place that enable acceptance and integration.

At AX Construction, a staggering 246 from 281 employees are non-Maltese with the majority hailing from India, Serbia, Pakistan, Albania, Turkey and Morocco. To successfully manage such a diverse workforce, in addition to ensuring an organisational culture that’s inclusive and that draws on the strength of this diversity, AX Construction has strengthened its people strategy through a number of measures. Brandon Lee Magri, Construction HR Manager explains how.

Healthy communication practices

“For starters we enjoy an open-door policy,” explains Brandon. “This enables good communication across the board, but it especially encourages healthy interactions with management, so that any issues are nipped in the bud and people feel their feedback and opinion is valued. Which they are.”

“Open door measures also go a long way towards getting to know your team as individuals, what drives them and what motivates them.” This becomes more important when the people on your team hold different values and perspectives. It helps you challenge your assumptions and not take things for granted.”

Part of the communication flow at AX Construction also involves getting feedback in project post-mortem exercises that enables management to understand what was a success and what went wrong so that the team can always improve on the already high benchmarks set at the company.

“It is also crucial to imbue in each individual on the team the same professional standards and values that the Group is renowned for,” continued Mr Magri. “This ensures everybody on the team is well placed to perform as best as they can, leaving nobody out.”

Language barriers are a reality, even when English is widely spoken, as misunderstandings are not rare between a multi-cultural team. “We are blessed with loyal employees who have been with us for years,” continued Mr Magri. “These employees act as mentors to new ones on board who, despite the differences, learn the ropes from those already on the job, and who know what works and the best practices to instil in a very clear way. This in itself makes up for the challenge of language barriers.  Of course, we encourage employees to learn English, organise English courses from time to time, and along the years, there are some that have even leart Maltese on their own steam. When people are motivated, the language barriers melt rapidly.”

Religious diversity

AX Construction is fully supportive of religious feasts and events. Management understands employees who ask for vacation leave during Ramadan or the Orthodox Christmas and that they may need to leave the site to pray. “Indeed, this has an impact on our operations but we do our best to accommodate requests that enable people to live their cultures in our country.”

Building a team

Team building becomes of greater importance when the team is multi-cultural. “Getting to know each other away from the office is important for us as this is when most significant social interactions happen,” continued Mr Magri. “For this reason, we regularly organise team building activities that help us bond and learn how best to acknowledge each other’s strengths when working together.”

People development

At AX Construction, an employee reward system doesn’t just take into consideration a financial reward, but eyes a sustainable exercise of training and career development. “Some employees could only do steel fixing when they started. Now, they have learnt other skills like stone and brick laying, or restoration techniques. This ensures employees are able to progress in their careers at AX Construction.”

The result is a loyal employee base, some of whom have been with the company for years.

“Awarding our employees is an important policy at AX Construction that helps employees feel acknowledged and appreciated. But even more important is the investment in our people. Couple these with making people feel empowered and giving them room for growth, and you have a winning formula for people retention and becoming an employer of choice.”