Muscat – The Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation on Monday announced the results of the 2025 Employer Survey, which examined the alignment between higher education outputs and labour market needs across Oman’s economic sectors.

The findings were released during a ceremony held under the patronage of H E Dr Rahma bint Ibrahim al Mahrouqi, Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation. She said the survey used a unified scientific methodology and standard measurement tools that enable comparison over time.

Data for the survey was collected over two months, from April 21 to June 30, covering 4,430 establishments. A total of 1,083 companies responded, recording a response rate of 24.4%.

According to the ministry, 68% of employers hired Omani graduates from higher education institutions, signalling continued confidence in national talent. The survey also found that 47% of graduates entered the workforce without prior work experience, reflecting employers’ readiness to provide in-house training and on-the-job learning.

On performance and skills, 76% of employers reported satisfaction with the competencies of Omani graduates. However, 38% of companies said they faced difficulties in hiring graduates, mainly due to a lack of experience. Firms addressed these challenges by recruiting non-Omanis when required, increasing recruitment efforts, or outsourcing tasks to external companies.

The survey showed that 23% of private sector institutions cooperate with higher education institutions, particularly in training, employment and community service initiatives.

Regarding future labour needs, employers indicated a stronger preference for bachelor’s degree holders, followed by diploma graduates. Management and commerce fields topped the list of preferred future specialisations, followed by engineering, related technologies and information technology. These trends align with the specialisations prioritised by higher education institutions and the ministry’s current scholarship plans.