Abstract
Scheme provides for a partial salary reimbursement of up to €8,000 per annum for a period of 3 years (for a total grant of up to a maximum of €24,000) and for a partial reimbursement of training costs of up to €1,500 per annum for a period of 3 years for each employee working within specific knowledge-intensive economic sectors based in Gozo.
Description
The Supporting Knowledge-Based Sectors in Gozo scheme will target the knowledge-intensive economic sectors. Aid provided under this scheme is in the form of partial reimbursement of salaries for full-time employment on an indefinite basis:
- either of newly employed staff based in Gozo; or
- staff already employed with the same undertaking uninterruptedly as from 1st January 2018 onwards. Eligibility is restricted to employees for which their employer has already benefitted from the full 3-year cycle under the Gozo Employment Refund Scheme or Gozo Back-Office Employment Refund Scheme.
This scheme focuses on assisting and sustaining the transition into a more knowledge-based economy, by seeking to develop and attract higher value-adding sectors that will enhance Gozo’s sustainability and investment diversification.
As opposed to traditional economy sectors where the production of goods and services is the primary objective, the knowledge economy has as its main aim the creation and dissemination of knowledge and information – mostly through research, analysis, and development. These in turn often become the primary resources for innovation in products and services. In the knowledge economy human capital i.e., the skills, knowledge, and experience of an organisation’s workforce, is an essential asset. Enterprises operating in the knowledge-based industries must constantly strive to identify and recruit employees with the necessary skills and abilities, provide ongoing training and development opportunities, and create an overall positive work culture that attracts and retains the best talent to remain competitive and stay ahead in these rapidly evolving sectors.
Beneficiaries
The Supporting Knowledge-Based Sectors in Gozo scheme targets knowledge-intensive economic sectors falling under the NACE code categories listed below:
- J58.2 – Software Publishing
- J62 – Computer Programming, consultancy, and related activities
- J63.1 – Data processing, hosting, and related activities
- K – Financial and insurance activities
- M69 – Legal and accounting activities
- M70 – Activities of head offices; management consultancy activities
- M71 – Architectural and engineering activities; technical testing and analysis
- M72 – Scientific research and development
- M74.1 – Specialized design activities
- R92 – Gambling and betting activities
The beneficiaries of this scheme will be the Employer, having a registered address from where operations are carried out, subject to compliance with the terms and conditions of the scheme as stated in the Guidance Notes.
Support Rates:
The aid received by beneficiaries over a period of 3 years, will cover partial reimbursement of the annual basic salary of each employee on an indefinite contract carrying out sector-specific duties in Gozo. The applicable rate will be calculated according to the following annual basic salaries.
|
Annual Basic Salary € |
Yearly Reimbursement per employee € |
Total Reimbursement per employee after 3 years € |
| 17,000 – 23,000 | 4,500 | 13,500 |
| 24,000 – 30,000 | 6,000 | 18,000 |
| 31,000 & Above | 8,000 | 24,000 |
This scheme also offers a partial reimbursement of training/tuition/registration costs incurred for participation in training, conferences, seminars, and conventions taking place either online, locally, or abroad over a 3-year period. The annual reimbursement rate is 65% up to €1,500. Flight tickets for international travel are also eligible for partial reimbursement.