Muscat – Unemployment among youth in Oman is a growing problem despite the government’s efforts to improve the situation.

According to the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), Oman’s unemployment rate decreased from five per cent in February to 4.10 per cent in March this year.

The figures, however, are skewed in favour of men. The rate of female jobseekers remains high at 13.7 per cent, compared to 1.7 per cent for males. Bachelor’s degree holders form the largest group of jobseekers, accounting for 11.3 per cent.

The Ministry of Labour (MoL) reported that by the end of March, there were 110,000 registered jobseekers, marking a significant increase from the previous quarter’s 85,000. To address this issue, MoL had announced plans to create 35,000 job opportunities this year, 14,000 of these to be provided through replacements in the private sector and 2,000 through government initiatives.

In January, MoL launched an app called Maak, or ‘With you’, designed to assist jobseekers and employers in boosting job creation.

Despite these efforts, many graduates remain unemployed and have limited job prospects.

Ahmed al Harthi, a chemical and process engineering graduate from Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), expressed his frustration stating that “the job market is saturated and campus placements do not provide viable opportunities”. He noted that the majority of recent graduates are unemployed.

Harthi believes that it will take MoL time to remedy the situation. Asked about Maak, he said, “I don’t know of any such app for jobseekers.”

Only two out of ten students Muscat Daily spoke with were aware of Maak.

Sultan al Jassasi, an electrochemical engineering graduate, also from SQU, echoed similar views emphasising the frustration among recent graduates. “The annual job and training fair in March allows interaction with companies but does not guarantee placements. No university guarantees placement in any sector.”

While acknowledging the government’s efforts to provide jobs, Hilal al Kindi, a 2020 graduate in operations and management currently engaged as an account executive with Memac Ogilvy, suggested a more innovative approach to address the job situation effectively.

“Companies do not recruit through job fairs. They hire internally or through third parties,” Kindi said in reference to campus placements.

“My advice to fresh graduates is to remain active on platforms like LinkedIn and to gain experience and knowledge even if it’s just an internship.”

Hilal, too, wasn’t aware of Maak. “I haven’t heard about the app and I don’t think any of my friends or colleagues have ever mentioned it. The government should promote such apps and initiatives.”

Considering the opportunities for Omani citizens, expectations of expatriates finding jobs need to be realistic.

Nidhi Harish, who graduated from College of Banking and Financial Studies last year, too, highlighted the lack of response from companies at job fairs. Suitable jobs are scarce, working conditions poor and salaries low.

“When the job market is not good for locals, expectations of expat’s finding employment are at best ambitious.”

She pleaded with the government to promote employment opportunities for expats, especially women, citing examples of other countries.

Citing her own experience of struggling for two years before finding employment, Alyasa al Balushi, a 2020 graduate in Arts, Public Relations, Advertising and Communications from SQU, emphasised the need for the government to adopt an innovative approach, breaking away from the traditional methods to create more job opportunities.

Acknowledging the gap between academia and the evolving labour market, Dr Ahmed al Balushi, Dean of National University of Science and Technology, highlighted its efforts to promote entrepreneurship among students.

“We have launched an extensive entrepreneurship programme to encourage startups and SMEs. We are giving students an opportunity to prove themselves by empowering them in different areas,” Balushi said.

That’s a start but there’s a great deal more needed before Oman’s unemployment situation improves.

National career guidance platform launch this week

As part of its efforts to create sustainable solutions and generate job opportunities across sectors in the sultanate, the National Employment Programme (NEP) will officially launch a national career guidance platform called Khuta on Wednesday.

The launch ceremony, held under the patronage of Dr Khamis bin Saif al Jabri, Chairman of Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow-up Unit, will take place at Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre.

An NEP official revealed that Khuta has already undergone an experimental trial phase, receiving positive feedback from users.

“On July 5, the platform will be officially launched to provide valuable services. The platform collaborates with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, offering information on study and training programmes, future skills, and labour market requirements.”

Khuta will serve as a hub for local universities and colleges to connect, ensuring seamless access to educational resources. It will also provide free courses for various community groups and raise awareness of parents and school administrators.