OPITO International, provider of workforce to oil and gas industry, has secured a contract with Oman’s Ministry of Oil and Gas to provide training to Omanis and ensure a safer work environment
OPITO International said that it is working on a phased plan that will provide the Omani government with a sustainable solution to the employment needs of its people and to the demands of its growing oil and gas industry.
The first phase is an analysis of the current provision of vocational and non-vocational training throughout Oman.
The firm would be visiting training centres and colleges to identify the standard of training and then provide recommendations on how technical training provision can be improved to deliver a framework of qualifications, which will meet current and future skills demands and improve competence in the operations and maintenance activities associated with the extraction of hydrocarbons.
The global oil and gas training standards body is working with the government, the Oman Society for Petroleum Services (OPAL) and employers to improve the delivery of training that will ensure the country has a skilled and safe oil and gas workforce.
This will have a positive contribution on the economy in Oman by creating greater employment opportunities for Omanis, according to the company, it added.
David Doig, OPITO group chief executive, said, “By working with the government and employers, we will help the government in Oman develop a learning infrastructure in-country, which will be able to deliver industry-designed and industry-recognised qualifications underpinned by technical training standards, occupational standards, a robust assessment process and accredited certification and qualifications.
“This will ensure that the training is delivered in the correct way, by the right people, using the right equipment in a safe and well-managed environment and competence can be effectively measured.”
Khalid Ghalib Al-Hinai, HR advisor to the minister of oil and gas, noted, “Our aim is to increase the competency levels and productivity of the local workforce coming into the industry by aligning existing vocational and technical training with industry requirements and accrediting it to international standards.”
According to Musallam Al Mandhari, CEO of OPAL, “The association with OPITO will ensure Oman’s training standards meet the technical training requirements of the industry and offer Omanis training to global standards.”
