Sohar Works programme continues to boost soft, technical skills among youth

Sohar Works Graduate Development Programme, a joint project run by Sohar Port and Freezone and its tenants, has continued phase 2 of its year-long syllabus designed to develop a strong Omani workforce. Following a successful first phase which focused on building self-confidence, effective communication and adapting to a changing workplace environment, the second phase has continued to develop the technical proficiency of its 12 graduates via practical workshops delivered by the International Maritime College Oman (IMCO) over the course of five weeks.

Mohammed al Shizawi, executive manager of People and Change Management at Sohar Port and Freezone said, “The programme has been designed with a long-term vision focussed on empowering local talents with key competencies and skills that can help them to effectively excel in different projects within tenant companies. The bespoke workshops are a collaborative effort from participating companies and are a proven testament of what can be achieved to create a lasting socio-economic impact in-country.”

After completing the fiveweek second phase, graduates will then receive 40 weeks of onthe-job training in one of Sohar Port and Freezone tenant companies, VA Tech WABAG, Marafi, Hutchinson Ports Sohar and Oman Flour Mills, where they will later work to ensure that participants are fully qualified for the role which they will go on to perform full-time.

Ahmed bin Saif al Maamari, acting Zimam Centre manager, said, “The aim of Sohar Works programme is to prepare, qualify and develop cadres of Omani nationals to join the labour market and provide governmental and private institutions with the expertise and skills they require in line with Oman’s Vision 2040.”

He added, “Oman Sail, in cooperation with the leading Omani human resources management companies, has been able to match suitable graduates with the specialisations and qualifications required in the current labour market to institutions in need of talented Omani candidates capable of adding value to the national economy now and in the future.”

Zimam trainee, Tariq al Saadi, said, “The programme helped me to develop my inter-personal skills and it made me more adaptable to changing circumstances, which contributes to the development of our skills and overall character.

“I am very thankful and appreciative of the opportunity given to me by Sohar Port and Freezone and Asyad Ports and look forward to progressing in my career.”

Fellow trainee Sharifa al Kharousia, a graduate of IMCO specialising in Logistics, said, “I learned the foundations of effective communication and leadership, completed character building exercises and learned how to be flexible in my approach which will help me in the workplace. During the programme, I was also able to develop my skills when working within a team and look forward to gaining more experience and valuable skills in the next stage.”

Organised in partnership with government stakeholders including the Ministry of Labour and Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation and managed by Oman Sail, Sohar Works equips graduates with the skills and experience that will enable them to compete in the labour market in the future.

After the three-stage programme, graduates will have been able to obtain more than 15 professional certificates approved by the Ministry of Higher Education, which will add to their CV and help the candidates stand out in a competitive environment.