New Oman national strategy to boost workforce skills
The strategy was unveiled under the patronage of H E Dr Mahad bin Saeed Ba'awin, Minister of Labour. It seeks to build an integrated professional system that supports productivity and meets the requirements of a dynamic labour market as part of the sultanate's broader economic development goals.
H E Sayyid Salim bin Muslim al Busaidi, Undersecretary for Human Resources Development, said the ministry developed the strategy in collaboration with public and private stakeholders in alignment with national priorities. H E Sayyid Salim bin Muslim al Busaidi, Undersecretary for Human Resources Development
'Professional standards are the foundation for enhancing workforce quality across sectors, improving training outcomes and boosting productivity,' he said. 'Establishment of sector-specific skills units is key to ensuring the strategy addresses each industry's needs.'
He also highlighted the progress made in implementing a professional licence card system under the broader National Professional Accreditation System. The system aims to verify individuals' competencies and ensure professional practices meet required standards.
'This system represents a critical step towards labour market governance, reinforcing the quality of professional practices and boosting employer and societal confidence in national talent,' he added.
Zaher bin Abdullah al Sheikh, Project Director of the strategy, said, 'The ministry is working to develop and implement occupational standards across all sectors to promote quality, productivity and professional excellence. We are ready to provide technical and logistical support to ensure effective implementation.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
32 minutes ago
- Observer
Oman can leverage AI to boost transparency
SALALAH, AUG 13 Secure and targeted use of artificial intelligence can help Oman's government and private sector enhance transparency, performance, and citizen engagement, according to Jennifer McGinty, founder and director of McGinty Consulting. On her first visit to Oman, McGinty speak at the Labour Forum 2025, organised by the Ministry of Labour, on how AI can be used effectively and safely. She said her aim was to introduce employees to practical tools while stressing the importance of data security. 'I have a lot of experience working with large private companies such as Indeed, Bain & Company, Deloitte, and USAID, which excel in using AI tools. But I've noticed that in the Middle East, North Africa, and even the U.S., government agencies are far behind,' she told the Observer. 'If they are using AI tools, they are often not using them in a safe and secure way. Some are putting proprietary information — private data about citizens and their governments — into public AI platforms that are not securely stored.' McGinty said Oman's Vision 2040 — particularly its focus on youth employment — offers an excellent opportunity to use digital platforms to connect young people with government programmes. 'Oman has a great opportunity to use these AI tools to communicate directly with citizens — through emails, public platforms, or social media,' she said. 'I hope the Ministry of Labour will take some of these tools and use them to improve communication.' For decision-makers, especially in AI departments across ministries and in the private sector, she recommended starting with a needs-based or baseline study. 'You have to understand what employees are spending their time on and where they need help. Without that, you risk buying 20 different AI tools, and people will only use one or two — which is a waste of money,' she explained. Praising Oman as 'one of the most hospitable places' she has visited, McGinty added: 'People here are so respectful, much more than in many other countries I've been to. I'm very impressed.'
Muscat Daily
a day ago
- Muscat Daily
Transformation through flexible policies, skills push and digital shift
Salalah – The Government Transformation and Sustainable Leadership Conference, part of Labour Forum 2025, wrapped up on Tuesday in Salalah with a series of recommendations aimed at modernising the labour market, boosting national skills, advancing digital services and improving policy access. Delegates from Oman and other Gulf Cooperation Council countries agreed on four priority areas, including labour market governance. The recommendations called for stronger partnerships with the private sector, employers, sectoral committees and academic institutions to ensure policies reflect a range of perspectives. They urged a review of existing laws to create more flexible and inclusive employment policies that can adapt to changing needs, and the strengthening of governance committees to analyse challenges and propose solutions. Also in focus was developing national competencies and entrepreneurship. The forum urged the creation of specialised training programmes for graduates and jobseekers, particularly in green and digital sectors. It also called for greater support for startups and self-employment initiatives through funding, simpler procedures and innovation-friendly environments. 'Empowering young people and entrepreneurs means giving them the platform to share their success and connect with market,' one participant said. On digital transformation in the government sector, recommendations included investing in infrastructure, expanding the use of electronic authentication and signatures, and training leaders in digital management. The forum also proposed integrating digital skills into human resource development and extending insurance coverage to informal sector workers, including optional protection against occupational injuries and diseases. The final set of recommendations stressed on making the forum's outcomes widely accessible through an interactive online platform, enabling participants and stakeholders to review documents, recommendations and presentations. The aim, officials said, is to promote knowledge-sharing and strengthen expertise exchange. The three-day conference highlighted the fact that implementing proposals will require strategic public-private partnerships, ongoing innovation and capacity building in line with Oman Vision 2040. The concluding session also examined smart management in government. Discussions included the role of artificial intelligence in enhancing transparency, decision-making and digital transformation, with the Ministry of Labour presenting its Smart Management Project as an example of turning technology into opportunities. Key Recommendations Improve labour market governance through private sector and academic partnerships Review laws to create flexible, inclusive employment policies Launch specialised training in green and digital sectors Support startups and self-employment with funding Invest in digital infrastructure and expand e-authentication Extend insurance coverage to informal sector workers
Observer
a day ago
- Observer
Labour Ministry unveils Oman's first AI career advisor
SALALAH, AUG 12 Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept but a powerful force reshaping the way organisations operate, according to Abdulrahman Abdullah al Busaidi, Director of Smart Management at the Ministry of Labour. Speaking at a recent event, Al Busaidi said the shift from traditional management models to AI-powered systems is enabling faster decisions, greater agility, and a stronger competitive edge. In his presentation, Al Busaidi outlined the differences between three key management approaches: traditional, digital, and AI-driven smart management. Traditional models, he explained, depend on manual, routine tasks and slow decision-making. Digital management improves efficiency through automation and electronic systems. Smart management, however, takes the concept further, using predictive analytics, automated recommendations, and real-time data flows to give leaders instant insights and the ability to act decisively. A highlight of his address was the Ministry of Labour's flagship AI initiative, 'Nadeem' – the first AI-powered virtual career advisor developed in Oman. Created using generative AI technologies, Nadeem is designed to guide and support job seekers throughout their employment journey, offering personalised advice, identifying challenges, and suggesting solutions. Part of the Ministry's Smart Management Project, Nadeem has already proven to be a valuable tool for understanding the needs, expectations, and concerns of both employees and job seekers. 'It's a treasure trove of information,' Al Busaidi said, noting how it has helped the Ministry tailor programmes to improve workplace performance and job matching. He also stressed that the transition to smart management must consider all interconnected elements, especially at the national level. 'Cybersecurity is fundamental because national data is sovereign, and protecting it is essential,' he said. Risk management, he added, is equally important, with pre-prepared scenarios and balanced, well-planned responses ensuring resilience in the face of emerging challenges. Al Busaidi concluded by emphasising that the move towards AI-powered management requires more than just technology investment – it demands an organisational culture that embraces innovation. 'This is no longer optional,' he said. 'It's a strategic necessity if we are to keep pace with the rapid changes shaping today's global business environment.'
