Oman’s Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (PEIE) has stressed the key role played by qualified national employees in the manufacturing sector at a seminar in Sohar.

The event, organised in cooperation with Oman Technology Institute, also briefed on PEIE’s recently launched training programme for developing Omani workforce in the manufacturing sector – Azeemati, which is supported by Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) and National Training Fund (NTF).

On the sidelines of the seminar, foundation stone was laid for the Facility Building in Sohar Industrial Estate, and the ongoing work progress was observed in phase one of Al Raha Village in the estate.

Hilal bin Hamad Al Hasani, chief executive officer of PEIE, said: “This seminar comes in line with the recommendations of the previous seminar that was held on the same topic in Muscat governorate last month. The event also stresses the significance in training national cadres in various sectors, which eventually improves productivity and creates an apt work environment, and as a result reflects positively on the national economy of the Sultanate.”

Al Hasani added: “This seminar also aspires at highlighting ‘Azeemati’ programme, which was launched in the previous seminar. This initiative is a dedicated national workforce development programme that comes within the framework of PEIE’s social responsibility and its keenness to find solutions to the challenges faced by jobseekers. The programme will be implemented with the valuable support received from Petroleum Development Oman, National Training Fund and Oman Technology Institute.”

PEIE has been involved in training the national cadres working in various companies and factories in the various estates through an annual training plan that aims at enhancing their skills and capabilities in various disciplines.

“The Omani cadres in the estates are being trained in various fields including management, finance, marketing, and technical, among other fields. Moreover, awareness meetings and lectures are also being organised highlighting a variety of topics comprising work ethics, human relations, work pressure, work productivity, health and safety, among other topics,” Al Hasani pointed out.

Dr Mohammed Al Mahjoob, technical consultant at Oman Technology Institute, mentioned that Azeemati shall subject the candidates for an intensive training programme to equip them with necessary skills before getting involved in various technical disciplines as well as management skills in line with the National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) and other technical qualifications. The programme comprises foundation period to provide the trainees with initial skills, for instance in English language, work ethics, health and safety, and information technology.

PEIE has signed a three-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) to fund a training programme for jobseekers registered in the Public Authority of Manpower Register. The programme will continue for a period of 12 months in a specialised institute.

A Memorandum of Understanding was also signed between PEIE and the National Training Fund (NTF) to facilitate full time employment of trainees. The MoU aims at facilitating employment of trainees on full time basis following successful completion of their training programme.

The National Training Fund shall finance the training programme following allocation of the trainees to the companies operating in the various fields of manufacturing and other fields in the industrial estates pertaining to PEIE in the various governorates of the Sultanate. – TradeArabia News Service