The TechPro Conference and Awards, organised by National Training Institute (NTI), shone a spotlight on a growing cadre of bright, young Omani technicians.
The event, which was held at the Grand Millennium Hotel yesterday, was designed to raise awareness about the importance of qualifying and upskilling Omanis for jobs in the Sultanate’s expanding manufacturing and industrial sectors.
We have about 165 candidates from 160 companies representing various industries from around Oman who are competing for awards. We wish to recognise their capabilities because technicians are as important as other professions that have a number of awards instituted in their honour, said Mohammed al Esry, General Manager, National Training Institute.
A panel discussion was held titled, ‘Technicians’ Expectations, Aspirations and Challenges at the Workplace’, moderated by Musallam al Mandhary, former CEO of Oman Society for Petroleum Services (OPAL).
The keynote speaker, Wail al Harrassi, founder and CEO of WABA Enterprises and Investments, said as Oman focuses on diversification, the manufacturing sector has gained prominence, bringing in opportunities for technicians.
Asked if there is a demand for technicians in the job market, Al Esry said, “At the moment we have junior level Omani technicians, but the high level jobs for technicians are not occupied by nationals. Technicians need to be developed. We have graduates; we have schools and colleges that deliver people at a certain level, but these technicians need to be developed further to be able to occupy those positions.”
The main challenge is for the technicians to be accepted at these positions, observed Al Esry. “The companies want technicians who are competent, so the majority of our youngsters are not there yet. They need to develop themselves so they can handle these positions. The industry needs to work closely with the institutions to see what skills are missing and which areas need to be developed.” Representatives from oil and gas, manufacturing, aviation and other industries including colleges and institutions, technicians, and job seekers attended the conference.
The event, which was held at the Grand Millennium Hotel yesterday, was designed to raise awareness about the importance of qualifying and upskilling Omanis for jobs in the Sultanate’s expanding manufacturing and industrial sectors.
We have about 165 candidates from 160 companies representing various industries from around Oman who are competing for awards. We wish to recognise their capabilities because technicians are as important as other professions that have a number of awards instituted in their honour, said Mohammed al Esry, General Manager, National Training Institute.
A panel discussion was held titled, ‘Technicians’ Expectations, Aspirations and Challenges at the Workplace’, moderated by Musallam al Mandhary, former CEO of Oman Society for Petroleum Services (OPAL).
The keynote speaker, Wail al Harrassi, founder and CEO of WABA Enterprises and Investments, said as Oman focuses on diversification, the manufacturing sector has gained prominence, bringing in opportunities for technicians.
Asked if there is a demand for technicians in the job market, Al Esry said, “At the moment we have junior level Omani technicians, but the high level jobs for technicians are not occupied by nationals. Technicians need to be developed. We have graduates; we have schools and colleges that deliver people at a certain level, but these technicians need to be developed further to be able to occupy those positions.”
The main challenge is for the technicians to be accepted at these positions, observed Al Esry. “The companies want technicians who are competent, so the majority of our youngsters are not there yet. They need to develop themselves so they can handle these positions. The industry needs to work closely with the institutions to see what skills are missing and which areas need to be developed.” Representatives from oil and gas, manufacturing, aviation and other industries including colleges and institutions, technicians, and job seekers attended the conference.
Source Link: www.omanobserver.om
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