Muscat – The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT) has launched the second edition of the National Initiative for Digital Competencies, known as Makeen, to train Omani youth in specialised digital skills and prepare them for leadership roles in the country’s digital transformation.

This year’s initiative, launched on Thursday, aims to train 200 graduates across multiple specialised tracks, with new fields introduced, including network security engineering and cloud computing. A ministry official stated that these camps are designed to provide advanced training in cutting-edge technology, enabling Omani talent to compete effectively in the job market.

Building on the success of the first edition, held between 2023 and 2024, this year’s programme has expanded its reach beyond Muscat. Training camps will be held in Suhar, Sur, and Salalah, ensuring more graduates across the country can participate. Registration for the first batch of participants is open from January 30 to February 13.

The training covers fields such as web development, data science, artificial intelligence, systems engineering, and network security engineering. The camps will commence on April 13 in Muscat and April 20 in Suhar.

Admission will be based on assessments and personal interviews to match participants with the tracks most suited to their skills and interests. Dates for Sur and Salalah will be announced later.

Each camp will feature a 16-week training programme conducted at the Programming Academy’s labs, focusing on both technical and professional skills. This will be followed by an eight-week on-the-job training period at government or private institutions, providing participants with practical industry experience.

The first edition of Makeen camps trained 100 graduates in fields such as data science, artificial intelligence, mobile app development, and cybersecurity. The strong demand and positive outcomes have led to this year’s expanded programme, which accommodates more participants and introduces additional training tracks.

By equipping graduates with in-demand skills, Makeen aims to bolster Oman’s technological workforce and improve employment prospects in the communications and information technology sector.