An overview of Vocational Training

Vocational training plays an important role in preparing and qualifying citizens to meet the State requirements for a qualified national labor force in various vocational and technical areas. To achieve this goal, the ministry of manpower represented by the directorate general of vocational training has developed vocational training programmes which keep abreast of the requirements of the Omani labor market for a skilled and semi skilled national workforce. The Omani private sector was provided with the opportunity to contribute to such training programmes in an endeavor to mingle between training and work, to ensure that the graduates are qualified technically and vocationally, so they can play a considerable role in increasing efficiency and productivity in the various economic sectors to boost the national development in the country.

The government has accorded Special attention to the vocational training centers which were expanded and developed to cater for more Omani youth and continue providing the labor market with a qualified and well trained national labor force.

Fishermen qualifying institutes in Salalah and Al-Khabourah

1. Strategic importance of establishing the two institutes:

Fishing is the second important sector in the Omani national economy after the oil sector and fishing grounds are among the most important natural resources and vital economic sectors, as more than one-fourth of the population in Oman practice fishing as a means of living according to estimates.

Thus the establishing of the aforesaid two fishing institutes has come in crucial timing, particularly that the government `s plans focus on diversifying sources of the national income, away from depending oil. The fisheries sector comes in the forefront in this respect due to its rich and renewable wealth.

2. Goals of the two institutes:

The two institutes are established with the aim of training and qualifying the Omani youth to enable them to drive boats in coastal areas and open seas and to use the latest fishing equipment and safeguard fish quality by adopting scientific storing methods. These goals also include:

• Availing an Omani qualified specialist cadre in the fisheries related vocations.
• Developing capabilities of the personnel of the fisheries sector
• Providing Omanis with more job opportunities.
• Developing fishing methods and equipment in the country.
• Promoting fish guidance by availing an aware vocational base.
• Enhancing revenue of fisheries.
• Assisting in conducting research and studies relating to the fish sector.