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Oman Observer

Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) is sponsoring the training of more than 900 young Omanis as part of its efforts to create more than 50,000 job opportunities in and outside the oil and gas industry between 2017-2019.

The Company signed four agreements with partners who will employ the trainees upon their successful completion of the programme which will last from six to 18 months. These included the Oman Society for Petroleum Services (OPAL), Muscat Municipality, Bright Torch solar specialists, and Mazoon Dairy Company.

The signees offer the trainees full-time jobs in a variety of sectors, including teaching, sales, and solar panel installation.

PDO External Affairs and Value Creation Director Abdul-Amir bin Abdul-Hussein al Ajmi, who signed the Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the organisations, said: “This is the latest move by PDO to go beyond our natural boundaries to fulfil our landmark commitment to support the creation of jobs for Omanis. We are honoured to be working closely with valued partners from other sectors in this noble cause.

“PDO is dedicated to supporting the Sultanate’s economy by expanding work opportunities for both Omani men and women so that they can create a sustainable future for themselves, and it is vital that we work together with other organisations, private and public alike, to achieve this objective.

“One area we are now focusing on is renewable energy which we think can be a big growth area for Oman generally. We hope that the training of dozens of young Omanis to work as solar panel installers will be the start of a much focus move in this area.”

The MoU signed with Muscat Municipality — the largest training commitment in the current batch — marks the first time that PDO has partnered with a government entity under the banner of training-for-employment. Under the terms of the agreement, PDO will sponsor the training of 198 jobseekers to enable them to take up administrative, technical, financial and legal positions. It will also cover the upskilling of a further 155 afforestation services staff to allow them to move to long-term positions, bringing the total to 353 trainees.

Dr Ibrahim bin Abdullah al Rahbi, Director-General of Human Resources at the Muscat Municipality, said: “This programme, which is a mix of theoretical and practical training, will supply us with competent staff trained to the highest standards. The move is in line with our vision to make staff development one of our top priorities, guided by His Majesty’s belief that the human element should be at the centre of development in the country.

“This is a fine example of collaboration between the government and private sectors, and we would like to extend our appreciation to PDO for sponsoring this training and to every individual who played a role in making this co-operation possible.”

PDO has pledged to create 52,000 job opportunities for Omanis between 2017-2019. Its 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.