07-01-2019

 

Times of Oman

Muscat: Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) and Oman Liquefied Natural Gas Company (Oman LNG) are joining forces to co-fund the creation of job opportunities for Omanis in and outside the oil and gas industry.

The company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Oman LNG to govern the collaboration which will serve to boost existing in-country value initiatives at the two companies in the area of job creation and benefit a wider range of stakeholders nationwide.

Under the terms of the two-year agreement, PDO and Oman LNG will jointly fund training for employment programmes for jobseekers in a variety of economic sectors. A joint team representing the two parties will be formed to manage the selection of sectors and training programmes, and successful trainees will then be offered full-time jobs in their area of training.

A second MoU was signed with the Oman LNG Development Foundation whereby the Development Foundation will commit a designated amount to jointly fund a training-for-employment programme through PDO’s established National Objectives scheme.

The agreements were signed by PDO Managing Director Raoul Restucci and Oman LNG Development Foundation, Chief Executive Officer Sheikh Khalid Al Massan, at PDO’s Knowledge World venue in Muscat.

Restucci said: “PDO is pleased to partner with Oman LNG on this training initiative which will provide many young Omanis with the opportunity to forge rewarding careers.

“This move comes as part of our concerted efforts to develop Omani talent. Creating work for our jobseekers is a key aim for PDO and a national priority for the Sultanate, and we remain committed to generating employment opportunities both within and beyond the oil and gas sector.”

Oman LNG Chief Executive Officer Harib Al Kitani commented: “We are delighted to partner with PDO in another context of excellence. We continue to press forward to enhance job creation opportunities for Omanis. Through Oman LNG Development Foundation, we are proud of our success and achievements in nurturing young Omani talents with the adequate and efficient competences to fulfil the high rivalry markets’ needs and explore innovative opportunities."

“We welcome further collaborations on similar activities with PDO and other industry partners that deliver tangible values to our beloved country,” he added.

PDO’s National Objectives programme has already created more than 55,000 job, training, transfer, and redeployment opportunities for Omanis in both the oil and non-oil sectors, such as hospitality, real estate, fashion and aviation, since its launch in 2011, with more than 17,000 secured last year alone.

Oman LNG has an ambitious vision and dedication towards CSR through the Oman LNG Development Foundation. The Oman LNG Development Foundation addresses four key pillars the first of which targets Corporate Social Responsibility; the second helps Deliver Value for Oman LNG and Shareholders; the third Secures the Future through collaborations and investments; and finally, the fourth, a Centre of Excellence enabling others to develop CSR initiatives.