Die Rolle der privaten Wirtschaft bei der Entwicklung von Qualifizierungs-Maßnahmen für Arbeitssuchende stand im Mittelpunkt eines Treffens der Oman Chamber of Commerce und Industry (OCCI) mit Mitgliedern, Unternehmerinnen und Unternehmern.
OCCI reviews private sector’s role in training of jobseekers
Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) held a coordination meeting to discuss the efforts exerted by the private sector in preparing appropriate mechanisms for rehabilitating and training of jobseekers, yesterday.
The meeting reviewed the plans put forth by the private sector in rehabilitating and employing the national manpower in collaboration with the government departments to avail job opportunities and meet requirements of the job market.
Enhancing the partnership
The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Khalil bin Abdullah Al Khonji, OCCI Chairman, in the presence of a number of OCCI Board's members, businessmen and women.
Al Khonji stressed the importance of enhancing the partnership between the public and private sectors in developing and following up of training and rehabilitation plans with a focus on the necessity of reviewing relevant standards, laws and legislations.
The meeting discussed plans to provide on-the-job training inside and outside the Sultanate, surveying the number of job seekers registered, and taking stock of vacancies available in the public and private sectors and jobs covered by the Omanisation process.
Train candidates
The meeting also discussed ways to rehabilitate and train candidates in accordance with qualifications and experiences to control the training process.
It stressed the importance of conducting a detailed study on the needs of the private sector in terms of the national manpower and the training required.
Set up incubators
The meeting also reviewed the steps to set up incubators for theoretical and practical training in the industrial estates, raising the training allocation to guarantee the stability of the trainee, awarding accredited certificates, amending legislations and laws that govern the training process, supporting and promoting self-employment throughout Sanad Programme, in addition to emphasising some economic productive sectors, such as agriculture, fishing and other sectors, as well as affirming the necessity of giving priority to national products in projects of the governmental and private sectors, following up the execution of such measures and raising the finance ceiling of the national industries.
The meeting also underlined the necessity of activating a decision of the Higher Education Council for considering training as part of the Omanisation programme.
Targets
The Ministry of Manpower has set targets to enhance the role of national manpower in the country's economy under a series of decisions made in 2003.
It has provided all private companies with a handbook to guide them in drafting their annual plans aimed at achieving the targeted Omanisation percentages which must be presented to the ministry before August 15 every year.
However, the Omanisation programme has been in operation since 1988, working toward replacing expatriates with trained Omani personnel.
By the end of 1999, the number of Omanis in government services exceeded the target of 72 per cent, and in most departments reached 86 per cent.
Most companies have registered Omanisation plans. Since April 1998 a 'green card' has been awarded to companies that meet their Omanisation targets and comply with the eligibility criteria for labour relations.
For example, the insurance sector had achieved 60 per cent Omanisation.
The Omani Institute of Bankers has played a leading role in increasing the number of Omanis working in the sector. The Central Bank monitors the progress of Omanisation made by commercial banks.
Other sectors where Omanisation is enforced are aviation, especially Oman Air, small and medium businesses, energy, tele-coms and the travel and tourism industry.