Upshift has already rolled out across 30 countries
Depending on the age groups of the participants, Upshift has three broad training programmes.
The first is for those preparing to enter the job market. Participating companies will establish an in-house unit to provide employability skills, training and recruit trainees for apprenticeships, internships and on-the-job learning. Academic institutions will also be invited to support skills building.
The second component is the social enterprises virtual training package for young people aged 18 to 29 who will have the opportunity to participate in youth challenges and incubation programmes, receive technical coaching and, potentially, seed money to fund successful ideas and solutions.
The third component is for 10-to-18-year-olds in schools and covers psychosocial skills for resilience and development, transformational leadership, innovative thinking and problem solving.
Lana Al Wreikat, the UNICEF Representative to Oman, added that Upshift has already been rolled out across 30 countries.
“We hope this programme delivers measurable outcomes, as it has been specifically developed based on studies and accurate planning that looks at regional benchmarks, and considers several surveys on the youth and job markets,” she said.
“This initiative is also built on the role of the private sector, so their contribution is of particular importance. Everyone will have their chance to provide more proposals and efforts to implement in different parts of Oman.
“We will have lists of youth that reside in these areas, and will work together with the National Centre for Statistics and Information and Ministry of Social Development, to look at the role of youth,” added Al Wreikat.
“We are trying to know what is necessary for them to learn, look at their realistic needs, and customise initiatives that can essentially be translated into workforce enablement.”
Among those present at the Upshift launch was Areej bint Mohsin Haider Darwish, chairperson, MHD Group of Companies, who said she was glad to support the new initiative. “I am sure other members will also support this strategy,” she added. “We are sure this programme will fall in line and help achieve the targets of Oman Vision 2040.”
Abdul Amir Al Ajmi, Director of External Affairs and Value Creation at Petroleum Development Oman, said the programme could help the country’s youth unlock their potential, which could bring about plenty of positive change in their communities.
“PDO is a company that has been supportive of these initiatives for a while,” he explained, while listing a number of youth development programmes run by the company. “We are always looking forward to any initiatives that strengthen our communities and work with different stakeholders. We look forward to leveraging our experience and best international practices to develop these initiatives.”
Among the efforts run by PDO for youth are the Edaad programme (Arabic for ‘prepare’) that connects the industry with academic institutions that was launched in 2020, and had over 200 participating students. Another is a training and internship effort that supports fresh graduates, which has helped provide more than 500 job opportunities.
The oil and gas company also runs a 12-month internship programme for fresh graduates that provides them advanced skills, professional ethics, and discipline required to participate in the job market, as well as scholarship opportunities for youth who live in areas where PDO operates.
Aimen Al Hosni, the CEO of Oman Airports, also welcomed the arrival of Upshift in Oman, saying it was a great opportunity for companies and youth to learn from each other.