How the T&H Skills Pass assessment works
Understanding the assessment format before diving into subject matter is the highest-leverage preparation you can do. Know what you will be tested on, how, and in what order.
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4 sections7 key facts4 quiz questionsWhat is the T&H Skills Pass?
The Tourism and Hospitality Skills Pass (T&H Skills Pass) is a mandatory certification for Third Country National workers employed in Malta's tourism and hospitality sector. It is a condition of the Single Permit for TCN workers in eligible roles — passing it demonstrates that you have the foundational knowledge and English communication skills needed to work safely and professionally in a Maltese T&H environment.
The Skills Pass is managed through the Skills Pass portal (skillspass.org.mt) and the assessment is conducted by the Institute of Tourism Studies (ITS Malta). It is not a vocational qualification — it is a readiness assessment. Passing confirms you meet a baseline standard; it does not certify you as a chef, sommelier, or hotel manager.
The assessment has two phases. Phase 1 is an online knowledge-based assessment completed through the portal. Phase 2 is a 20-minute live online interview conducted by an ITS Malta assessor.
Phase 1 — online knowledge assessment
Phase 1 consists of online modules and/or questions covering the core T&H knowledge areas: food safety and hygiene, hospitality service standards, customer service principles, health and safety at work, and Malta's tourism context.
You complete Phase 1 at your own pace within the allowed registration window. The portal tracks your progress. Phase 2 is unlocked once Phase 1 is complete. Official materials do not publish a specific pass mark for Phase 1, but the module content aligns directly with the topics in this study hub.
Approach Phase 1 with the same seriousness as Phase 2 — the knowledge you demonstrate in Phase 1 is what the Phase 2 assessor will probe in conversation.
Phase 2 — live video interview
Phase 2 is a structured 20-minute video interview conducted by an ITS Malta assessor. It tests two things: your workplace English communication skills, and your applied understanding of the Phase 1 knowledge areas.
Questions are scenario-based: 'What would you do if a customer complained about their food?', 'How would you handle a spillage in a kitchen?', 'What does HACCP stand for and why does it matter?' The assessor is looking for clear, confident, relevant answers — not perfect technical recitation.
Book your Phase 2 slot through the portal as early as possible. You will need a reliable internet connection, a working camera and microphone, and a quiet environment. The assessor introduces themselves and sets a professional but conversational tone.
Strategic preparation
Work through all seven study topics in this hub before starting Phase 1. The topics map directly to the assessed knowledge areas. Do not rush — understand the reasoning behind each principle, not just the definition, because Phase 2 asks you to apply knowledge, not recall it.
For Phase 2, practice speaking your answers out loud. Many candidates know the material when reading but struggle to express it clearly under interview conditions. Record yourself and listen back.
On the day of Phase 2: arrive in your interview space 10 minutes early, test your camera and audio, have a glass of water, and remove distractions. The 20-minute interview passes quickly when you are prepared.
Key facts to remember
- The T&H Skills Pass is mandatory for TCN workers in Malta's tourism and hospitality sector
- Managed by the Skills Pass portal (skillspass.org.mt); assessment conducted by ITS Malta
- Phase 1: online knowledge modules; Phase 2: 20-minute live video interview
- Phase 2 tests both workplace English and applied T&H knowledge
- Questions are scenario-based — applying knowledge to situations, not just recalling definitions
- Phase 2 requires a camera, microphone, and reliable internet connection
- Phase 2 is unlocked after Phase 1 is completed in the portal
Study tips
- Map the six knowledge areas to the six remaining topics in this hub — study them in order for maximum coherence.
- After reading each topic, write down 3 scenario questions someone might ask you about it, then answer them out loud.
- For Phase 2, practise 'I would...' sentence structures — the assessor wants to hear how you would behave, not just what you know.
- Create one A4 summary sheet per topic and review all six sheets the evening before Phase 2.
Common pitfalls
- Treating Phase 1 as a formality and underpreparing for Phase 2 — the Phase 2 assessor probes what Phase 1 covered
- Memorising definitions without understanding how to apply them in a scenario
- Not testing camera and audio until 5 minutes before Phase 2 — technical failures cause unnecessary stress
- Answering Phase 2 questions with one-word answers instead of full explanations
Quick review
Who conducts the Phase 2 Skills Pass interview?
Assessors from the Institute of Tourism Studies (ITS Malta).
What does Phase 2 assess?
Workplace English communication skills and applied knowledge of the T&H knowledge areas covered in Phase 1.
How long is the Phase 2 interview?
Approximately 20 minutes.
Is the T&H Skills Pass a vocational qualification?
No — it is a readiness assessment confirming a baseline standard, not a vocational certification.