Muscat – Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion (MoCIIP) launched a programme on Sunday called Itqan in collaboration with Ministry of Labour, as part of ongoing efforts to support employment and attract Omani youth to the industrial sector. The programme was launched during a cooperation signing ceremony with several wholesale and retail sector entities operating across the sultanate.

MoCIIP also unveiled 1,157 job opportunities for Omani citizens in the wholesale and retail sectors, include 525 direct jobs and 332 positions in fuel stations. These openings will be made available through the Tawteen platform in January 2025.

H E Dr Saleh bin Saeed Masan, Undersecretary for Commerce and Industry in MoCIIP, emphasised the fact that Itqan is designed to equip Omani youth with the necessary technical skills for the industrial sector. The initiative aligns with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040, which aims to diversify the economy and increase local workforce participation in key sectors.

The programme will be rolled out in three main stages. The first will focus on training job seekers to qualify them for roles in the industrial sector. The second stage will focus on developing the skills of existing workers, helping them advance to higher positions within the sector, while the third will offer internships and practical training opportunities to university and college students at industrial sector facilities, giving them hands-on experience in the field.

Dr Ahmed bin Khalfan al Badawi, Director of Industrial Strategy Implementation and Evaluation Department and Head of Employment File Team at MoCIIP, informed that by the end of October 2024, the total number of Omani workers in the industrial sector had reached approximately 35,513. These positions span across various specialisations, including accounting, marketing and trade, reflecting the current growth in commercial activities throughout the sultanate.

“Through the Itqan programme and the new job opportunities, the sultanate is reinforcing its commitment to increasing national workforce participation and developing a skilled labour force that will contribute to the continued growth and diversification of the economy,” he said. 

According to data released by National Centre for Statistics and Information, non-oil sectors in Oman experienced significant growth by the end of the third quarter of 2024. Contributions from these sectors increased 4.2% compared to the same period in 2023. Notably, the retail sector grew 6.9% and manufacturing saw an 8.5% increase.