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Second package of services on Khuta platform launched

Second package of services on Khuta platform launched

Times of Oman21-07-2025
Muscat: The National Employment Programme has launched the second package of services on the 'Khuta Career Guidance Platform', the first comprehensive national e-platform specialised in career counselling and professional orientation in the Sultanate of Oman.
The second package introduces a suite of smart tools designed to enhance career guidance experiences, empowering users to build career plans aligned with their personal aspirations and labour market demands.
Among the new services is the 'Study Plan', which provides school students—particularly those in Grade 10—with a clear vision of their academic pathways. By selecting a study plan based on their interests, capabilities, and university admission requirements, students can identify suitable specializations and explore labour market demands for each field.
The platform also unveiled the 'Entrepreneurial Traits Assessment', a scientifically validated tool tailored to Oman's environment.
It helps students evaluate their readiness for entrepreneurship and discover their potential based on behavioural and attitudinal analysis.
Additionally, the 'Khuta AI Assistant' leverages user data analysis to recommend specialisations and careers matching their skills and ambitions.
In a step reflecting the platform's commitment to equal opportunities, the 'Career Interests Assessment for Visually Impaired Individuals' was introduced—the first of its kind in Oman—helping this group explore suitable academic and career options based on their abilities and interests.
The launch marks a milestone in developing career guidance in Oman, equipping Omani youth with tools to make informed career decisions and enhancing their readiness for the job market. This aligns with Oman Vision 2040 goals to build a knowledge-based economy and foster sustainable development of the national workforce.
The new services are part of an integrated strategy to empower youth in making calculated academic and career choices, preparing them for future skills and economic transformations while supporting digital transition initiatives.
Since its launch, the platform has seen growing demand, with over 26,300 users by the end of June this year. It now features 861 academic programmes, 263 professional certifications and 100 training courses offered in partnership with Coursera platform, benefiting 2,465 young Omanis.
Dr. Badr Hamood Al Kharousi, Advisor and Head of Capacity Building at the National Employment Programme and General Supervisor of the platform, emphasised that career guidance is pivotal to employment system success and bridging the gap between education outputs and labour market needs.
He noted that Khuta represents a model of cross-sector integration, developed through public-private partnerships with input from the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Labour, government higher education institutions, and private sector entities.
The platform has garnered local and international recognition, including praise in the World Economic Forum's Skills Report (January 2025) for its role in empowering youth with future-ready skills. -ONA
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