Muscat – Efforts to bridge the gap between education outcomes and labour market needs were reviewed by the Education, Training and Innovation Committee at the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) during a meeting held on Monday in Muscat. 

Participants discussed labour market challenges and highlighted the importance of strengthening cooperation between educational institutions and employers to ensure graduates possess skills aligned with market demand.

The meeting, chaired by Sheikh Al Qassim bin Mohammed Al Harthi, Chairman of the Committee, was attended by committee members as well as representatives of the National Employment Programme. Discussions focused on strengthening coordination between the education sector and the labour market to ensure that graduates’ skills and specialisations match available employment opportunities.

Participants reviewed the objectives and implementation phases of the National Employment Programme and examined key challenges facing the labour market in Oman. The committee highlighted the importance of enhancing linkages between school education, higher education institutions and labour market needs to improve the employability of graduates.

Members also emphasised the need to restructure educational pathways and strengthen integration between academic institutions and economic sectors. Such measures, they noted, would help improve job readiness and expand employment prospects for Omani youth.

In the area of vocational education and training, the committee discussed several challenges, including disparities in the quality of training programmes and their limited capacity. Members stressed the need to establish clear career pathways and develop a comprehensive system for on-the-job training to equip young people with practical skills required by employers.

The committee underlined the strategic importance of vocational education as a key driver for accelerating the integration of youth into the labour market and enhancing their professional competencies.

Discussions also addressed Omanisation policies and job classifications. Members pointed to discrepancies in certain job titles that affect the accuracy of labour market data, as well as variations in wage levels across sectors. The committee called for standardising job titles and strengthening oversight and management systems within institutions to improve the work environment and boost productivity.

The meeting further examined the influence of societal perceptions that often prioritise university education over vocational training. Participants stressed the need to raise awareness about in-demand specialisations and guide students towards career pathways that better reflect labour market requirements.