200 Omani jobseekers to be trained in telecom business
MUSCAT: Following the Government directives to support the SMEs and provide job opportunities to the Omanis’ youth, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) to train 200 jobseekers for two years, which will guide the trainees through to set up businesses in the telecommunication sector.
This initiative aims to Omanise jobs in the last mile connectivity (LMC) services, which are now occupied by untrained non-Omanis that contributes to unemployment levels among Omanis.
Second, the number of companies performing services has created unhealthy competition by lowering prices beyond a sustainable level for well-established businesses to survive. Third, there has been very little regulation in the LMC sector, which has affected the quality of services provided.
Dr. Hamad Al Rawahi, TRA Executive President said, “The LMC programme is a great example of the way we should look to work in the ICT sector projects as we move towards the future of Oman. This is a program that is designed and developed by Omanis, for the benefit of Omanis in our great Sultanate”.
In this regard, Raoul Restucci, PDO Managing Director, said: “We are determined to sustain our efforts to create employment and business opportunities for jobseekers in a variety of economic sectors including telecommunications. “By joining forces with
This initiative aims to Omanise jobs in the last mile connectivity (LMC) services, which are now occupied by untrained non-Omanis contributing to unemployment among Omanis
trusted partners, such as the TRA, we aim not only to create job opportunities for young Omanis, but also to equip them with the tools and skill sets which will empower them to start their own businesses,” he added.
Omar bin Abdullah al-Qatabi, Chairman of the Project Steering Committee said, “This project is very ambitious as it would open new opportunities for many SMEs in the telecom industry directly with the licensed operators and would open the opportunity for the jobseekers”.
The first phase started in early 2018, in which several concerned stakeholders like the telecom operators, Oman Development Bank, the National Business Centre, the Public Authority for SMEs Development (Riyada), and others have been working jointly to develop a strategic framework and governance policies to regulate the LMC services and to accelerate national development of Omanis.
The second phase of the project is to create a pilot program that is open to Omani SMEs that will develop a business through Oman’s local business training incubator programs and through hands on technical training in performing LMC services. These companies will be primarily operated and run by Omanis, which will help to increase opportunities for citizens and decrease unemployment numbers. The program will also prepare the way for more local businesses to participate in the ongoing national development occurring within the Sultanate of Oman.