28 April 2011
MUSCAT: What are the traits that can go a long way in pepping up the Omani youth's employability?
The answer: Teamwork, problem solving, initiative, planning, self-management, learning, and technology. These, precisely, are the most important characteristics that an employable youth must possess, participants at a discussion here pointed out.
"Invest in yourself to get ahead in life", experts advised Omani youth at the discussion on 'Skills needed for youth employability in Oman', during a seminar on 'Youth Employability: Towards a Role for Civil Society'. The seminar, in partnership with the public and private sectors, was held at Crowne Plaza.
Participating in the discussion, Abdullah Hamoud Al Jufaili, deputy GM of Shell Intilaaqah said, "Investing in yourself with a professional certificate can increase your employment prospects or you can enjoy promotion in your company. This assures you of a professional and quality career.
"You should set aside money to improve your qualification to develop your personality even after you find a job."
In addition to one's qualification, what the employers are looking for are: ethics, intelligent quotient, and the right attitude. Salim Al Maqbali, general manager, HR at
Omantel said that while considering fresh graduates, companies often focus on their 'personality' and 'behaviour'.
The graduates should be able to convince that they can
effectively contribute to the success of the company.
The spirit of teamwork often wins them jobs, he noted.
Fahad Sultan Al Abri, general manager of Digital Society Development Division at Information Technology Authority (ITA) said, "It is important that job seekers have specialised skills.
This enhances their value in the job market since certain jobs require specialised qualification. While you are searching for a job you must remember that you are marketing yourself so you must come out with the best of your attribute.
You should have the ability to convince others."
Talal Al Rahbi, deputy CEO for Operation at ITA, said that bolstering the IT capabilities of Omani youths was one of the major objectives of the national strategy.
Speaking on the civil society's role, Nasra Al Adawi, Chief Operations Officer of Tawasul said, "Partnership between the private and public sectors, and the civil society is key to building a better society."
She also urged authorities to provide tax exemption on funds that support the initiatives of the civil society.
The seminar was held under the patronage of Dr Yahya bin Badr Al Maawali, undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Development and Tawasul, in partnership with Microsoft and ITA.
Talking on the role of the civil society in leveraging IT skills to enhance youth employability, Dr. Zaki Khoury, business manager Gulf of Microsoft said he was confident of Oman's success in all spheres because the government is keen on pushing the wheel of technology. "Information technology has an important role to play in development," he said.
To enable Omani youth to realise their potential, Microsoft has been involving itself in local community support, strengthening NGOs through information technology, employee engagement and community technology skills programme, Khoury added.
The first panel was moderated by Ms. Abeer Al Jassim, general manager of Knowledge Horizon Institute.
The resources that NGOs need to deploy in enhancing employability skills was discussed in the second panel moderated by Khalid Al Haribi, managing director of Tawasul.
This panel gave a youth perspective with Sultan Al Fare'i, president of Marketing and Public Relations of Youth Vision Group, an entrepreneurial view was presented by Fatma Hassan Al Shidad, director of Women in Technology (WIT) in Salalah, and finally, Sharifa Al Barami, vice president of OWA Muscat dwelt on the institutional perspective of the question.
The seminar aimed at enhancing the role of the civil society (NGOs) in addressing youth employability by leveraging technology.
She also urged authorities to provide tax exemption on funds that support initiatives of civil society.
The seminar was held under the patronage of Dr Yahya bin Badr Al Maawali, undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Development and Tawasul in Partnership with Microsoft and Information Technology Authority (ITA).
Shaikh Saif al Hosni, Public and Education Sector Manager of Microsoft also spoke on the occasion.
Talking on the role of Civil Society in leveraging IT and enhancing youth employability, Dr. Zaki Khoury, Business-Manager Gulf of Microsoft said that he is confident of Oman's success in all spheres because the government is keen on pushing the wheel of technology. Information technology has a important role to play in development."
MUSCAT: What are the traits that can go a long way in pepping up the Omani youth's employability?
The answer: Teamwork, problem solving, initiative, planning, self-management, learning, and technology. These, precisely, are the most important characteristics that an employable youth must possess, participants at a discussion here pointed out.
"Invest in yourself to get ahead in life", experts advised Omani youth at the discussion on 'Skills needed for youth employability in Oman', during a seminar on 'Youth Employability: Towards a Role for Civil Society'. The seminar, in partnership with the public and private sectors, was held at Crowne Plaza.
Participating in the discussion, Abdullah Hamoud Al Jufaili, deputy GM of Shell Intilaaqah said, "Investing in yourself with a professional certificate can increase your employment prospects or you can enjoy promotion in your company. This assures you of a professional and quality career.
"You should set aside money to improve your qualification to develop your personality even after you find a job."
In addition to one's qualification, what the employers are looking for are: ethics, intelligent quotient, and the right attitude. Salim Al Maqbali, general manager, HR at
Omantel said that while considering fresh graduates, companies often focus on their 'personality' and 'behaviour'.
The graduates should be able to convince that they can
effectively contribute to the success of the company.
The spirit of teamwork often wins them jobs, he noted.
Fahad Sultan Al Abri, general manager of Digital Society Development Division at Information Technology Authority (ITA) said, "It is important that job seekers have specialised skills.
This enhances their value in the job market since certain jobs require specialised qualification. While you are searching for a job you must remember that you are marketing yourself so you must come out with the best of your attribute.
You should have the ability to convince others."
Talal Al Rahbi, deputy CEO for Operation at ITA, said that bolstering the IT capabilities of Omani youths was one of the major objectives of the national strategy.
Speaking on the civil society's role, Nasra Al Adawi, Chief Operations Officer of Tawasul said, "Partnership between the private and public sectors, and the civil society is key to building a better society."
She also urged authorities to provide tax exemption on funds that support the initiatives of the civil society.
The seminar was held under the patronage of Dr Yahya bin Badr Al Maawali, undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Development and Tawasul, in partnership with Microsoft and ITA.
Talking on the role of the civil society in leveraging IT skills to enhance youth employability, Dr. Zaki Khoury, business manager Gulf of Microsoft said he was confident of Oman's success in all spheres because the government is keen on pushing the wheel of technology. "Information technology has an important role to play in development," he said.
To enable Omani youth to realise their potential, Microsoft has been involving itself in local community support, strengthening NGOs through information technology, employee engagement and community technology skills programme, Khoury added.
The first panel was moderated by Ms. Abeer Al Jassim, general manager of Knowledge Horizon Institute.
The resources that NGOs need to deploy in enhancing employability skills was discussed in the second panel moderated by Khalid Al Haribi, managing director of Tawasul.
This panel gave a youth perspective with Sultan Al Fare'i, president of Marketing and Public Relations of Youth Vision Group, an entrepreneurial view was presented by Fatma Hassan Al Shidad, director of Women in Technology (WIT) in Salalah, and finally, Sharifa Al Barami, vice president of OWA Muscat dwelt on the institutional perspective of the question.
The seminar aimed at enhancing the role of the civil society (NGOs) in addressing youth employability by leveraging technology.
She also urged authorities to provide tax exemption on funds that support initiatives of civil society.
The seminar was held under the patronage of Dr Yahya bin Badr Al Maawali, undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Development and Tawasul in Partnership with Microsoft and Information Technology Authority (ITA).
Shaikh Saif al Hosni, Public and Education Sector Manager of Microsoft also spoke on the occasion.
Talking on the role of Civil Society in leveraging IT and enhancing youth employability, Dr. Zaki Khoury, Business-Manager Gulf of Microsoft said that he is confident of Oman's success in all spheres because the government is keen on pushing the wheel of technology. Information technology has a important role to play in development."
© Times of Oman 2011
