10 April 2016
Muscat - Building on a vigorous Omanisation and training development programme that has gained momentum in the wake of the oil price collapse, the Ministry of Oil & Gas has set its sights on a number of expatriate-dominated technical professions that it says could potentially absorb thousands of young Omanis looking to join the national workforce. Salim bin Nasser al Aufy, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Oil & Gas, said the ramped up skills development will see young Omanis with demonstrable hands-on technical experience joining oil and gas producers and contracting firms.
"It's no secret that we have tens of thousands of expat jobs that can be Omanised, provided we provide companies with trained and certified technical staff. This is an important aspect of what we are doing: to develop Omanis not only theoretically, but in practical terms as well," he said. Al Aufy made the comments on Thursday on the sidelines of an event hosted by Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) to mark the graduation of 71 young Omanis as assistant drillers. The graduation, he said, marked another highpoint in ongoing efforts by the Ministry, supported by industry stakeholders, to boost Omanisation and skills development in the oil and gas industry.
Technical competency is key to the Ministry's current training development strategy, the Under-Secretary stressed. "All 71 assistant drillers received technical training on real rigs of Dalma Energy (the company that is preparing to absorb the new graduates). This is the hands-on approach that companies are looking for. So whoever comes to work for them is not only reciting from a book but also has real-life, hands-on experience. And this is drive we are pushing!"
That drive, Al Aufy said, began earlier this year when 195 young Omanis received their certification in 6G Welding - the highest qualification to be earned in welding.
"We are also looking at (potential jobs for Omanis) as scaffolders, pipe-fitters, electrical technicians, instrumentation technicians, and there are many others in the profession," he pointed out.
Urging Omanis to make the most of training opportunities offered by the Ministry and other stakeholders, the official commented: "My only message to the Omani workforce is: Please take these opportunities seriously and get on with it. These opportunities don't keep (coming up again). There is a lot of demand for these opportunities, so we will take anyone who is interested."
Muscat - Building on a vigorous Omanisation and training development programme that has gained momentum in the wake of the oil price collapse, the Ministry of Oil & Gas has set its sights on a number of expatriate-dominated technical professions that it says could potentially absorb thousands of young Omanis looking to join the national workforce. Salim bin Nasser al Aufy, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Oil & Gas, said the ramped up skills development will see young Omanis with demonstrable hands-on technical experience joining oil and gas producers and contracting firms.
"It's no secret that we have tens of thousands of expat jobs that can be Omanised, provided we provide companies with trained and certified technical staff. This is an important aspect of what we are doing: to develop Omanis not only theoretically, but in practical terms as well," he said. Al Aufy made the comments on Thursday on the sidelines of an event hosted by Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) to mark the graduation of 71 young Omanis as assistant drillers. The graduation, he said, marked another highpoint in ongoing efforts by the Ministry, supported by industry stakeholders, to boost Omanisation and skills development in the oil and gas industry.
Technical competency is key to the Ministry's current training development strategy, the Under-Secretary stressed. "All 71 assistant drillers received technical training on real rigs of Dalma Energy (the company that is preparing to absorb the new graduates). This is the hands-on approach that companies are looking for. So whoever comes to work for them is not only reciting from a book but also has real-life, hands-on experience. And this is drive we are pushing!"
That drive, Al Aufy said, began earlier this year when 195 young Omanis received their certification in 6G Welding - the highest qualification to be earned in welding.
"We are also looking at (potential jobs for Omanis) as scaffolders, pipe-fitters, electrical technicians, instrumentation technicians, and there are many others in the profession," he pointed out.
Urging Omanis to make the most of training opportunities offered by the Ministry and other stakeholders, the official commented: "My only message to the Omani workforce is: Please take these opportunities seriously and get on with it. These opportunities don't keep (coming up again). There is a lot of demand for these opportunities, so we will take anyone who is interested."
© Oman Daily Observer 2016
