Muscat – The National Employment Programme (NEP), in collaboration with Middle East College, organised a workshop to discuss the implications of Oman Vision 2040 on the country’s economic sectors and the labour market on Wednesday.

The objectives of Oman Vision 2040 led to the formation of NEP, which seeks to find sustainable solutions to tackle unemployment and achieve sustainable development.

The workshop delved on the strategic priorities necessary for achieving sustainable development across various sectors.

One of its primary objectives was addressing bridging the gap between academic knowledge and the evolving needs of Oman’s labour market. Aligning educational curricula with market demands will equip students with the skills necessary to secure suitable employment opportunities upon graduation.

Ghassan bin Fadl Bait bin Sulayem, Head of  Economic Track at NEP, kicked off the workshop by emphasising the importance of aligning global economic trends with local strategies.

He highlighted the significance of diversifying the Omani labour market, promoting investments in renewable energy, attracting foreign investment, and increasing tourism.

He also outlined Oman Vision 2040’s directives across various economic sectors, including technological innovation, industrial growth, logistics, mining, fishing and agriculture.

The workshop also featured discussions on emerging trends in the labour market, such as self-employment and flexible work arrangements, and the importance of governance committees for employment. Key topics included the qualitative Omanisation of jobs, fostering local added value and content, and prioritising employment opportunities for Omani nationals across all sectors in the sultanate.