Muscat: The Ministry of Labour in the Sultanate of Oman has unveiled its operational plan for 2025, which aims to generate 45,000 job opportunities. This announcement was made during their annual conference held in Muscat this evening. The plan encompasses 11,000 training and qualification opportunities for job seekers, around 10,000 positions in the government sector, and 24,000 roles in the private sector.
His Excellency Dr. Mahad bin Saeed Ba'awin, the Minister of Labour, highlighted the Ministry's dedication to employment-related training programs, on-the-job training, and wage support. These initiatives will be implemented through various avenues, including assistance for small and medium enterprises with Riyada cards, large corporations, start-ups, freelance opportunities, and temporary contracts within government entities for replacement purposes. The Ministry is closely monitoring companies involved in the training-linked employment program, achieving a compliance rate of over 82 percent.
The Minister also noted that the employment target for 2024 has reached 36,615 individuals, exceeding the initial goal of 35,000 job opportunities. Additionally, by the end of 2024, approximately 17,215 individuals were active beneficiaries of the job security benefit, including 11,758 males. As part of ongoing initiatives to enhance government performance, the "Individual Excellence" system has been introduced in 67 government entities, featuring 45 new enhancements aimed at improving work experiences and evaluations at both individual and institutional levels. Government departments will be evaluated based on operational efficiency, leadership quality, and job satisfaction, ultimately aiming to boost the effectiveness of government operations and elevate overall performance standards.
At the conference, the Minister highlighted the initiatives of the National Employment Programme, which seeks to align educational outcomes with the demands of the labor market. This alignment is accomplished through a thorough analysis and assessment of the employment system, leading to innovative solutions that improve efficiency and address existing disparities. The programme has successfully facilitated the localization of 2,800 leadership and mid-level roles within industrial estates, in partnership with the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (Madayn). Furthermore, it has introduced several advanced digital tools aimed at enhancing labor market efficiency, such as the "Tawteen" platform for managing employment across economic sectors, the "Marsad" platform for labor market data analysis, and the "Khuta" platform, which aids Omani youth in making informed career choices.
The Minister also pointed out that employment governance committees, established across 17 vital economic sectors, are dedicated to achieving qualitative localization objectives and improving job opportunities for Omanis. Efforts are ongoing to create specialized companies that will help job seekers transition into emerging sectors, including information technology and periodic maintenance, which oversees maintenance contracts in industrial areas. In terms of supporting entrepreneurship, the Ministry has rolled out a comprehensive package designed to assist freelance workers, encompassing financing, training, social protection, and consulting services, along with support for Omani freelance platforms.
The Ministry has revealed funding for the initial phase of the "Smart Management" project, developed in partnership with the private sector, aimed at improving digital governance in human resources management. Three pilot applications will be created to evaluate artificial intelligence solutions, develop a visual identity, and create a digital knowledge repository. Additionally, the "Waiting List" initiative will be introduced to enhance employment opportunities through intelligent systems. The Minister emphasized that the Ministry remains committed to implementing global best practices in digital transformation, noting that these initiatives will enhance government efficiency, improve the employee experience, and ensure cohesive operational policies between the public and private sectors.
