Latest news with #Omanization
Observer
19-05-2025
- Business
- Observer
HR forum empowers Oman's energy workforce
MUSCAT: The Ministry of Energy and Minerals has launched the inaugural Energy Sector Human Resources Forum, held under the auspices of Eng Salim bin Nasser al Aufi, Minister of Energy and Minerals. Taking place from May 19–20, 2025, at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, the forum aims to reshape human capital development in the energy sector in alignment with Oman Vision 2040. DRIVING TRANSFORMATION THROUGH HUMAN CAPITAL Bringing together executive leaders, HR professionals, academics, and policymakers, the forum underscores the urgency of building an agile, future-ready workforce amid rapid changes in the global energy landscape. The event highlights Oman's efforts to promote economic diversification and empower its national workforce. In his opening speech, Eng Salim al Aufi emphasised the forum's role in fostering collaborative thinking and policy innovation. He stressed that empowering Omani talent, enhancing workplace well-being, and nurturing supportive environments are vital to boosting institutional performance and national competitiveness. He called on participants to reimagine HR strategies, strengthen academia-industry ties, and advance public-private cooperation. Held under the theme 'Strategic Human Resources in the Energy Sector,' the forum tackled four priority areas: 1. Leadership Resilience in navigating economic and technological disruption. 2. Innovative Omanization, bridging the gap between education and employment. 3. Future Skills, focusing on digital transformation and workforce upskilling. 4. Mental Health & Safety, promoting stability and productivity at work. The first day featured four interactive workshops facilitated by industry experts. These sessions encouraged participants to propose practical, actionable solutions to HR challenges, which will be reviewed for integration into sector-wide policies. THOUGHT LEADERSHIP AND ACADEMIA-INDUSTRY DIALOGUE A CEO panel headlined the first day, offering insights into labour market shifts, talent retention, and the impact of digitalisation on leadership models. On the second day, the forum hosted an academic session titled 'Integration of Knowledge and Energy', featuring top university leaders from Sultan Qaboos University, the University of Technology and Applied Sciences, and the German University of Technology in Oman. The session focused on aligning academic curricula with industry needs and fostering R&D partnerships to support energy innovation. Participants also joined expert-led knowledge exchange sessions exploring practical solutions to the forum's key themes. Attendees were awarded participation certificates, reinforcing the forum's emphasis on engagement and learning. STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS AND AGREEMENTS The forum also served as a platform for signing several high-impact agreements and MoUs aimed at advancing workforce development and sector innovation. Highlights included: PDO & SMEDA: Supporting SMEs in the solar energy sector through the Ishraq Programme. PDO, Oman LNG & Sur LNG: Enhancing talent mobility through a joint MoU on talent acquisition PDO & Takatuf: Providing advanced human capital services. Shell & Takatuf Petrofac Oman (TPO): Launching training programs for technical operators. OPAL & Oman Energy Institute: Developing clean energy training programmes. OPAL & TPO Centte: Expanding vocational training opportunities. MEM & Rihal: Creating a digital dashboard to monitor rig and jack-up contracts for greater transparency. A PLATFORM FOR SUSTAINABLE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT The forum concluded with a commitment to transforming dialogue into action. Recommendations and insights generated during the event will be submitted to the Ministry of Energy and Minerals to inform future policies and initiatives. As a cornerstone initiative, the Energy Sector Human Resources Forum marks the beginning of a structured, long-term approach to building a resilient, skilled, and competitive national workforce—paving the way for a more integrated, innovative, and sustainable energy future in Oman.
Observer
13-05-2025
- Business
- Observer
Five OIA companies win Excellence Awards
MUSCAT: Oman Investment Authority (OIA) announced the winners of the second edition of the OIA Excellence Awards. The awards recognize efforts to promote a culture of continuous improvement, celebrate outstanding companies that contributed to achieving national objectives, and encourage competitiveness in performance enhancement. 'Omantel' won in the Growth and Job Creation category for achieving a revenue growth compared to last year and investing 18% of its assets in new projects—achieving 98% of its target. The company also succeeded in creating job opportunities for Omanis and replacing expats with Omanis, raising its Omanization rate to 94%. 'ITHCA Group' excelled in the Financial Sustainability and Performance category for leading the 2024 financial sustainability assessment by achieving the highest improvement in financial sustainability indicators among all companies and delivering a positive financial performance during 2024. 'Omran Group' was awarded the excellence award in Private Sector and SMEs Empowerment category for achieving a high growth rate in the development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). In addition, it exited from investments in favor of the private sector, and reached a rate of 56% in total investment through the private sector. 'OQ Group' received the excellence award in the In-Country Value (ICV) and RDI category for achieving the highest average spending on ICV as a percentage of total supply chain expenditure during 2023 and 2024. The Group also excelled in the number of supplier development programs, ring fencing initiatives, and research, development, and innovation (RDI) projects. 'ASYAD Group' won in the Project Excellence category for the 'Duqm Container Terminal' project. The project scored high efficiency in adherence to budget, timeline, and safety standards. The project also achieved a high Omanization rate exceeding 70%, and maximized in-country value by sourcing 43% of project expenditures through local suppliers and companies. Abdulsalam Al Murshidi, President of OIA, said the Excellence Awards recognized the significant improvement achieved by OIA companies in their revenues in 2024 compared to 2023. They also implemented new investments through approved projects and expanded operational initiatives that supported the local market. In addition, there was a consistent focus on employment and raising Omanization rates. The companies also increased their strategic partnerships with the private sector and supported small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through various initiatives, contract allocations, and development and training programs. They maximized their local impact by increasing local procurement spending and supporting local suppliers through supplier development programs and initiatives to localize products and services. As a result, total spending on SMEs reached RO 265.5 million, over 50 innovative projects were developed, and ICV rate increased to 32% in 2024 compared to 23% in 2023.
Times of Oman
07-05-2025
- Health
- Times of Oman
Muscat governorate reviews efforts of healthcare sector employment governance committee
Muscat Sayyid Saud Hilal Al Busaidi, Governor of Muscat, met today with Dr. Fatima Mohammed Al Ajmi, CEO of the Oman Medical Specialty Board and Chairperson of the Healthcare Sector Employment Governance Committee, to discuss priority employment initiatives. These include programs for hiring dentists, medical coders, and pharmacists, as well as an initiative to retrain certain graduates of healthcare academic institutions in adjacent fields. This involves upskilling them to meet labour market demands—such as retraining healthcare management graduates as medical coders. The meeting aimed to strengthen cooperation between Muscat Governorate and the Healthcare Sector Employment Governance Committee, supporting initiatives that expand job opportunities and Omanization in the governorate's healthcare sector, aligned with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040. The session also introduced the committee's role in assessing the demand for medical and healthcare professionals, determining workforce requirements, and developing initiatives to sustain employment rates and ensure sector stability. Discussions highlighted flexible initiatives to leverage national competencies, such as the freelancing program, while emphasizing the need for coordination between government healthcare entities and private sector institutions.
Observer
05-05-2025
- Business
- Observer
Over 245,000 firms employ zero Omani citizens, workforce relies on 1.1m expatriates
Muscat: In a bid to ensure a balance between business sustainability and job localization, the Ministry of Labour has announced a set of integrated regulations and incentives to enforce a decision requiring firms and companies that have completed one year since establishment to employ at least one Omani citizen. This comes in response to data revealing significant disparities in Omanization rates across businesses. While a limited number of companies employ the majority of Omani nationals, thousands of others do not hire any locals—despite benefiting from Oman's business environment—as follows: 1. Around 1,000 large firms employ nearly 200,000 Omanis and 245,000 expatriates, achieving an Omanization rate of 44%, averaging 200 citizens versus 245 expats per company. 2. Approximately 19,000 establishments employ about 60,000 Omanis, compared to 300,000 expatriates, with an Omanization rate not exceeding 17%—equivalent to just 3 Omanis for every 15 expats per firm. 3. Over 245,000 businesses employ no Omani citizens within their workforce, while relying on more than 1.1 million expatriates, resulting in a 0% Omanization rate. 4. The wide variation in Omanization rates highlights an imbalance that necessitates corrective measures. The decision aims to realign the labour market, curb hidden trade, ensure fair distribution of opportunities, and promote competitiveness based on sustainable and equitable principles. As part of efforts to empower national talent and boost job localization, the ministry has launched an employment package tailored to market needs. This includes: Training-linked employment programs; On-the-job training initiatives; Wage support schemes; Flexible alternatives to meet Omanization quotas, such as counting self-employed individuals and part-time workers toward the required ratios. The ministry has adopted a flexible enforcement mechanism, accounting for the economic realities of businesses of varying sizes, capacities, and sectors. Firms that have operated for one year without hiring Omanis must submit an employment plan within one month of notification. Companies with 10+ employees must comply within 3 months. Smaller firms are granted a 6-month grace period. Sole proprietors managing their businesses are exempt for one year from the decision's effective date. To ensure fair implementation and address sector-specific concerns, the ministry has formed a committee to review appeals, assess exceptional cases affected by the decision, monitor its impact, and submit observations and recommendations based on practical outcomes.
Observer
05-05-2025
- Business
- Observer
Firms mandated to employ nationals due to imbalance in job market
Muscat: In response to the reports circulating on social media platforms, the Ministry of Labour (MoL) said that to ensure a balance between business sustainability and job localization, it announced a decision with incentives to appoint at least one Omani citizen in institutions and companies that have completed one year from their date of establishment. These packages include training programs linked to employment, on-the-job training, and wage support. MoL said that the decision is based on the data that showed a significant disparity in Omanization rates among establishments. A limited number of companies employ the largest percentage of citizens, while thousands of other institutions do not employ any Omanis despite benefiting from the work environment in the Sultanate of Oman: Around 1,000 large establishments employ 200,000 Omanis compared to 245,000 expatriates, with an Omanization rate of up to 44%, at an average of around 200 citizens vs 245 expatriates in each company Around 19,000 establishments employ 60,000 Omanis compared to 300,000 expatriates, with an Omanization rate not exceeding 17%, at an average of only three citizens for every 15 expatriates in each establishment. Over 245,000 establishments do not employ citizens among their workforce, while they employ more than 1.1 million expatriates, with an Omanization rate of zero percent. This disparity in Omanization rates among establishments made it necessary to take corrective measures to hidden trade, to have fair distribution of opportunities, and to enhance competitiveness on a sustainable and equitable basis. Alternatives The Ministry of Labour has adopted flexible alternatives to meet Omanization rates, such as including self-employed and part-time workers within the specified rates. Taking into account the varying capabilities and activities of institutions, the Ministry of Labor adopted a flexible mechanism that takes into account the economic reality of institutions of all sizes. Establishments that have completed a year without employing an Omani are required to submit an employment plan within one month from the date of notification. Establishments with 10 or more workers are required to implement the appointment within three months, while establishments with fewer than 10 workers are given a six-month grace period. MOL has decided to grant full-time employees a one-year grace period from the date of notification. To ensure fair application and take into account the specificity of some activities, the Ministry decided to form a committee to address grievances and study exceptional cases that may be affected by the nature of the decision by monitoring the effects of its implementation, and submitting recommendations in line with the ground reality.
