Frequently Asked Questions
General FAQs
What is the institute for the public services and what does it do?
Click here for information about the Institute
where is the institute located?
The Institute is in Floriana at the former Public Lotto Department premises, a short distance from the Police General Headquarters in the direction of Sa Maison. See the Contact Details page of this website for the Institute’s address and other contact details.
where can i find more information on the services offered by the institute?
You can find more information by accessing the relevant page on the Website or the relevant FAQs. If you still have queries or require further information you can contact us here.
Prospectus FAQs
what courses does the institute for the public services offer?
what is the ips prospectus?
The IPS Prospectus provides a list of training programmes and/ or courses that are aimed at furthering the personal and professional development of employees in the Malta Public Administration.
It is divided into sections which give details about the training which is applicable to the various sectors of the Public Service. It also provides a number of core development skill courses that you could decide to follow in order to further your personal and professional development in your current grade. More detailed information on each section can be found here .
In additional to the above, IPS also offers guidance and support in other initiatives not captured within this prospectus, which are more customised according to the needs of your entity. More information on customised training can be found here.
The Prospectus Publication can be viewed from here. Alternatively, for more detailed information you can go directly to the IPS Prospectus Website by clicking on this link.
Where can I find more information regarding specific
courses / programmes offered by IPS?
Detailed information on the courses/ programmes such as the content, objectives, target audience and learning outcomes can be viewed from the IPS Prospectus Website. Once you are in the IPS Prospectus Website click on the 'View Details' for the respective course/ programme and then click on each heading.
How do I know if a course/programme is accredited?
The MQF Level and ECTS, as applicable, are available from the IPS Prospectus Website . Once you are in the IPS Prospectus Website click on the 'View Details' and then the relevant heading (MQF or ECTS) for the respective course/ programme.
How do I know which courses/programmes are open for applications?
Courses and Programmes open for applications can be viewed from the Courses Open for Application page on the IPS Website.
Applying for IPS Courses FAQs
Who can apply for the courses of the Institute for the Public Services?
The Institute's courses are open only to the employees of the Malta Public Administration. In addition, courses usually have a target audience. Applications may not be accepted unless the officers who apply are within this target group. Public officers may apply on their own initiative, subject to approval by their line manager (where applicable), or they may be nominated by their line manager.
Ideally, staff should attend training after a training needs analysis has been carried out within their organisation. A training needs analysis should concentrate on how an organisation is performing and how it should perform; the skills and abilities of its workforce and whether they are related to the organisation's needs; and what individual employees are actually doing, and what their duties should be in relation to the overall performance targets of their employing organisation.
Training needs should therefore be analysed primarily for the organisation as a whole, secondly for groups or units with particular functions, and thirdly for individual employees. This will make it possible to establish the areas and priorities for training and the form of training to be adopted.
How can I apply for the courses of the Institute for the Public Services?
To apply for training courses to further your professional and personal training development (non-mandatory training) you can refer to the Training Opportunities page in the IPS Website to check which courses are currently open for application by clicking here. Clicking on the name of the course will direct you to the respective application page.
Moreover, as a public officer you will receive periodic communication (via email) from IPS informing you about training courses that are open for application for your grade/ scale.
Once you are directed to the application page, follow the steps below:
- Choose the programme or course which is relevant to your grade and/or to your career advancement by ticking 'Interested to Apply';
- The course / programme selected will be automatically added to the cart (a maximum of 10 courses can be added);
- Checkout – when checking out you will be asked to select dates. Courses may become unavailable while you are submitting your application since the system works in real time and other potential participants may have taken up the remaining places. In such cases your application will still be accepted and will be included on the waiting list.
- Your line-manager will receive an email to consider your application (as per Directive 8.1 prior authorisation is not required for Public Officers who are in Scale 5 upwards).. Once your line manager approves/rejects the application you will be notified accordingly.
More detailed information on how to apply through the IPS Prospectus Website, can be found by accessing this guidebook.
Should you still encounter any difficulty or have further queries on your application do not hesitate to contact IPS on: 2200 1884.
How can I apply for induction training?
There is no need to apply for such training, as Directors responsible for HR/People Management in each Ministry forward the list of officers to IPS, indicating the induction programme each officer is required to complete. This applies to all types of induction training organised by IPS – i.e. external induction and position-related induction. For further information, you may wish to contact the respective Director in your Ministry.
When can I apply for IPS courses?
To apply for training courses to further your professional and personal training development (non-mandatory training) you can refer to the Training Opportunities page in the IPS Website to check which courses are currently open for application by clicking here. Clicking on the name of the course will direct you to the respective application page.
Moreover, as a public officer you will receive periodic communication (via email) from IPS informing you about training courses that are available for application for your grade/ scale.
This of course does not apply to those Programmes and/ or training courses which are mandatory and have a distinct application process, such as the Induction Programmes for new recruits, since these are offered on an ongoing basis and information on who is required to attend for such training is received from the Directors responsible for HR/People Management. For further information on induction training, you may wish to contact the respective Director in your Ministry.
The application form requires applications to be supported by the nominating officer. Who is the nominating officer?
The nominating officer should be the applicant's line manager, whose role it is to ensure that the training is relevant to the applicant's work and to approve the application if he or she is satisfied on this count. The nominating officer may nominate staff for training on his or her own initiative if he or she considers the training beneficial to the organisation.
Why cannot I apply for some of the programmes and courses?
Training programmes such as those of the induction are not open for applications directly from the officers who are required to attend. IPS receives the list of officers required to attend for such training from the HR department of each Ministry and contacts the officers directly with further details. Such mandatory training is indicated as ‘By Invitation Only’ in the IPS Prospectus website.
Other courses are opened for application at different times during the year depending on the need of the Malta Public Administration and these are indicated as ‘Currently not open for applications’ in the IPS Prospectus website.
Should you still have further queries on your application do not hesitate to contact IPS on: 2200 1884.
I tried to submit an online application through the Prospectus website, but the website is giving an error.
Try using a different browser – if you are using Chrome try again using Microsoft Edge and vice versa. If you still have a difficulty submitting the online application contact IPS on 2200 1884.
What happens after I submit an application for IPS Training?
A vetting process takes place when applications are received at IPS. Applicants for courses for which there were no dates available, will be contacted by IPS when dates are scheduled.
When applicants select dates to attend the training, they will receive a calendar invite and a reminder with all details a few days before the date of the training.
Attending IPS Training FAQs
I attended IPS training and took the assessment – how will I know the result?
IPS communicates the results of the assessment to the participants individually via email.
Is a certificate issued for IPS training?
A digital certificate is issued by IPS when a standalone course is completed successfully. For courses which are part of a programme, a digital certificate is issued when the whole programme is completed.
How can I join an online training session?
IPS sends a Microsoft Teams calendar invite for online training sessions. Upon receiving the invite, kindly accept it.
On the scheduled training date, locate the invite in your Outlook Calendar and click on the event. Lastly, select “Join the Meeting” to participate in the session.
What should I do if I am sick and cannot attend training I am booked to attend?
In you are sick on the date when you are booked to attend training please send an email to IPS, copying in your direct manager. The email address is found on the email reminder sent by IPS a few days before each course. You are encouraged to send such email before the session starts.
Customised Training FAQs
what is customised training?
As a general principle, Customised Training entails the creation of a new course or programme – either through the adaptation of an existing IPS offering or the total development from scratch of a course or programme - to meet a specific need of a Ministry or entity.
More information on what customised training is, the types of customised training and the application process can be found in the Binding Standards governing Customised Training Requests made to IPS and which can be accessed by clicking here.
IPS staff are happy to meet with you and discuss your needs and even organise the sessions on your behalf.
Should you need further information or assistance, please feel free to contact
IPS on: 2200 1884 or [email protected]
How can an entity apply for customised training?
If an entity identifies a particular training need which is not addressed through the Prospectus they may wish to apply for customised training. More information can be found by clicking here.
Should you need further information or assistance, please feel free to contact IPS on: 2200 1884 or [email protected].
Training General FAQs
Do I need to inform IPS if my contact details, in particular my email address, have changed?
If you had applied for a course with IPS and your contact details and/or email address has changed in the meantime, please send an email to [email protected] quoting your ID card number and new email address, as otherwise we will not be able to reach you. If your work email address has changed, please send the email from the new work email address.
I have just joined the Malta Public Service. Do I need to apply for training?
Officers who join the Malta Public Service and have no prior experience of the Malta Public Service, as they have not previously served within the Malta Public Service, are required to complete the Core Induction Training targeted for external recruits. This is mandatory and is to be completed over and above other position-related induction training which may be required.
There is no need to apply for such training, as the Directors responsible for HR/People Management in each Ministry forward the list of officers to IPS, indicating the induction programme each officer is required to complete. For further information, you may wish to contact the respective Director in your Ministry.
Is IPS training held online or in classroom?
IPS organises both online and classroom training depending on the subject of the training and which mode of training is deemed more beneficial for the target audience of the training.
If I complete all ICDL Base courses with IPS will I receive the ICDL Certificate?
IPS offers a number of ICDL base courses. An IPS certificate is issued for each course attended but not the complete ICDL certificate.
HOW CAN I REQUEST AN EXEMPTION FROM A COURSE WHICH FORMS PART OF A PROGRAMME?
If you have already attended for and successfully completed a course which forms part of a Programme you are currently following or believe that you are well versed in the relevant subject by virtue of your qualification and work experience you can submit an application to be considered for an exemption from attending the course/s. This can be done by filling in the exemption application form which can be accessed from this link and attach evidence of qualification and/or experience on the basis on which you are requesting the exemption.
Where can I find a record of IPS training attended, booked to attend and/or applied for?
The records of training attended, booked to attend and applied for can be found from myPortal. You can login with your CORP, iLearn or eID account.
Coursera FAQs
How can I join and enroll in the Coursera training which is sponsored by IPS?
IPS will contact you with details of the training you will be attending, including the timeframe within which such training is to be completed. Further information on how to access the Coursera upskilling platform is available from the Guidebook on how to join Coursera training sponsored by IPS. Since Coursera is a self‑paced online training platform, you may undertake training at a time and pace that best suits your individual schedules as long as you complete it by the deadline indicated in the IPS’s email.
What should I do if I have difficulty to access some of the training material of a Coursera training course?
In case of difficulty to access training material from the Coursera upskilling platform, please inform IPS. Please include as much information as possible such as the link of the training and a screenshot.
What should I do if I am following the training in Coursera but my progress is not being registered?
In such cases please login into Coursera and contact Coursera through the chat available from this link - https://www.coursera.support/s/learner-help-center.
Do I need to inform IPS when I complete the Coursera training?
IPS has access to the progress registered by participants in Coursera training sponsored by IPS. There is no need to inform IPS when training is completed.
Can I still access the record of IPS sponsored Coursera training programmes when IPS removes my access?
In order to still have access to your personal Coursera information, including certificates issued by Coursera, you should include an alternative email address in your Coursera settings so that when the IPS license is withdrawn you will still have access. Information on how to add an alternative email address is available from the Guidebook on how to join Coursera training sponsored by IPS.
If the system does not let you save your email, because you have already used it in the past, please inform IPS clearly indicating the details of your work and personal email.
Will I be requested to pay for the Coursera Courses?
For those courses sponsored by IPS you are not required to pay. To make sure that you are in the IPS Training Programme, after you sign in, please ensure that there is the Public Service and IPS Logo at the top of the page.
If you have queries on other training courses offered by Coursera but which are not in your Coursera Training Programme, please contact IPS on [email protected].
The emails I receive from Coursera are not being displayed correctly. What do I need to do to fix this?
To ensure that emails received from Coursera are displayed correctly, kindly add the Coursera email address [email protected] to your Safe Senders List. Right Click on the error message. Click on “Add Sender to Safe Senders List”.
Where can I find further support on how to use Coursera?
For general technical assistance on how to use Coursera you can refer to the Learner Help Centre available through this link https://www.coursera.support/s/learner-help-center. Please note that not all contents in this link are applicable to IPS Training Programmes.
For more specific queries or queries related to your Training Programme, please login into Coursera and contact Coursera through the chat available from this link - https://www.coursera.support/s/learner-help-center or contact IPS directly by replying to the email you receiving directly from IPS.
Where can I find Coursera’s policies and terms and conditions?
For more information on Coursera’s policies and programme terms you can click on this link: https://www.coursera.support/s/learner-help-center-coursera-policies.
Blockcerts FAQs
What are the benefits of blockchain Certificate?
A blockchain certificate can be used to verify your credentials to prospective colleges, universities and employers. You can also publicly share your Certificate with work colleagues, family members and friends on social media or privately share via text or email using a certificate link.
What does this mean for me?
When you own your official records, you no longer have to get original copies from the registrar (Certificate Issuer) every time you are applying for a new opportunity, whether that is at a school or with an employer. You can simply send your digital Certificate via email or text message or paste a link to your Certificate in your resume or LinkedIn profile for easy verification.
How do I get my Certificate?
Your Certificate will be sent to you via email from the Institute for the Public Services - “IPS Certification” - to be imported into the secure Blockcerts Wallet mobile app installed on your smartphone or tablet, which is designed to receive, store, and share your Certificate. In the email, you will receive an attachment of your certificate file – a coded file intended for secure storage – so you can store them wherever you like.
Receiving certificates is an easy, two-step process:
First, download the free Blockcerts Wallet Mobile app. You will receive an email from the Institute for the Public Services (IPS) – “IPS Certification” - inviting you to download your free Blockcerts Wallet app from your phone’s App Store. Once it is installed, it is recommended that you copy your secure passphrase and store it somewhere safe. The passphrase lets you prove that you own your certificates if you ever delete the app or lose your phone.
Secondly, add your certificate to the app.
When it is time to receive your certificate, you will receive a second email from the Institute for the Public Services (IPS) – “IPS Certification” - with your actual certificate attached. This file is your real blockchain certificate; it is recommended to store it wherever you store your other important data files. You can also click the link in the email to add the certificate to your app, which makes certificate sharing and online display easy.
How does the app work?
Your app works just like a private folder. It’s cryptographically secured, so nobody but you can access it. It talks to the organisations that issue you certificates, so they know where to send them. It also lets you keep certificates from many different organisations all in one place on your own devices, so you don’t have to rely on anyone else to store your certificates. It’s not tied to any public identity you have (like a social media profile or a school account), so you choose when and how you want to share the information in your app.
What this means, though, is that you are completely responsible for managing your app. It will have a secure passphrase to which only you have access to. Make sure you save your unique passphrase in a secure place, like a password manager. This will let you regenerate your app and prove you own your credentials if you ever delete your app or lose your phone. If you lose your passphrase, it’s like losing the ID that says you are who you say you are; you will need to contact us to re-issue your Certificate to you.
What can I do with my blockchain Certificate?
Having your Certificate on the blockchain means that your original record is always in your possession. You control how it is used. You can choose to share your Certificate publicly, like on a social media profile (Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.), or send your Certificate privately by email or text message. Finally, you can include links to your Certificate on your resume, public portfolio, or applications, so that people like potential employers can verify your qualifications with the click of a button.
How long will I have my blockchain Certificate?
Once a record is on the blockchain, it is there forever. Your certificate may expire (if it is time-delimited, like a license) or be revoked (if it was issued in error, or as part of disciplinary action), but you will always have it in your possession. If it is expired or revoked, however, it will no longer verify as a valid certificate by third parties.
What if I lose my phone or my mobile app?
As long as you have your passphrase, you can import your Certificate to a new app at any time and still prove it belongs to you. Just download the app from the App Store, enter your passphrase, and import your Certificate.
The passphrase is also what allows you to maintain ownership of your Certificate across multiple devices. So, for example, you can enter the passphrase into apps you download on your tablet or another phone, then import the same Certificate to those apps, too.
If you lose your passphrase, however, there is no way to prove ownership of your Certificate. It is like losing the ID that says you are who you say you are; even if you still have your Certificate, you can’t prove it is yours. If this happens, you will need to download the app again, get a new passphrase, and contact us so we can re-issue your Certificate to you.
What if I do not have a smart phone or tablet?
The Blockcerts Wallet App can only be downloaded and used on a mobile phone or tablet. Downloading the Blockcerts Wallet App is now optional, but it is recommended that you download the App so that you will be able to save all your IPS certificates (and other certificates issued by other institutions via Blockcerts) in one place on your mobile phone or tablet.
If it is not possible for you to download the App on a mobile phone or tablet, please wait for the second email sent by the Institute for the Public Services – “IPS Certification” – where you will have instructions on how to:
save the credential on your desktop/laptop;
view/verify your digital credential on your desktop/laptop; and
save the digital certificate on your laptop/desktop.
Who can I contact if I have more questions?
If you have more questions about your blockchain certificate app or the issuing process, please contact [email protected].
We’re here to help make accepting and using blockchain certificates easy!
Psychometric test FAQs
do I have to apply for the psychometric test?
No, the psychometric test is part of the Senior Appointments Advisory Committee (SAAC) Interview Procedure. It assesses the applicant’s leadership potential, personality traits and suitability to assume a Headship position through a self-administered test. The result of the preliminary assessment process, based on the test, will serve as an input to the SAAC and also for the continuous development of the applicant. Kindly note that it is not in your interest to share information related to the self-administered test.
How long does the psychometric test take to complete?
The test is done at the Institute for the Public Services (IPS) and takes about 30 minutes to complete. You will receive an email from IPS when you are required to attend for the test.
who is required to sit for the psychometric test?
Eligible applicants who have not sat for a psychometric test in the past two (2) years will be required to sit for such a test.
does sitting for a psychometric test make you eligible for the selection process?
Sitting for a psychometric test does not mean that the applicant is eligible.
Study leave FAQs
am i entitled to study leave?
If you have completed the probationary period of your first employment with government you are eligible to apply for study leave. For more information, you may refer to section 3.2 of the Sponsorships and Study Leave Manual.
how do I apply for study leave?
To apply for study leave you need to write a letter to your Permanent Secretary through your Head of Department outlining your reason for making use of study leave. With your application you need to provide documentary evidence that you are following the course.
should I apply for paid or unpaid study leave?
If your course has a direct bearing on your work you may apply for paid study leave.
i am doing a course on my own initiative. am i entitled to study leave to sit for exams?
If the course is related to your job you can apply for a number of days of paid study leave every year as outlined in the table at section 3.2.3 of the Sponsorships and Study Leave Manual.
If the course is not relevant to your job you may apply for unpaid study leave (see Section 3.1 of the Sponsorships and Study Leave Manual).
IPS Training information on myportal
who can access myportal?
All public officers can access myPortal.
how to access myportal?
MyPortal can be accessed from myportal.gov.mt . Sign in using your e-ID, CORP or iLearn account and then click on the Training tab.
what information on ips training is available on myportal?
The “IPS – training” tab in myPortal shows the list of courses that you have attended for and those courses for which you are booked to attend. There is also the record of attendance and result obtained where applicable.
The “IPS – waiting list” tab provides information on applications for courses which have been accepted by IPS but for which you have not yet been assigned a date.
What does “Partial” in the attendance column mean?
When a course is made up of more than one session, that is held over a number of days, and the participant does not attend for all the sessions attendance is marked as Partial.
Is information of IPS training courses attended in
past years available on my portal?