PDO signs agreements to support training of 250 Omanis

BUSINESS REPORTER

MUSCAT, FEB 2

Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour (MOL), signed on Wednesday agreements with seven contractors to provide training for employment programmes to upskill and recruit more than 250 Omanis in various positions.

The Memorandums of Understanding, which are part of PDO’s Emdad Initiative, were signed virtually under the auspices of Dr Saeed bin Hamed al Rubaie, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Technology and Applied Sciences.

Under the terms of the agreements, the participants will secure work with Arabian Industries (AI), Special Technical Services (STS), MB Petroleum Services, Shaher United Trading and Contracting Co, Al Ghalbi International, Zawawi Powertech Engineering, and Carillion Alawi upon the successful completion of the training programmes, which will range from 10–18 months in duration.

PDO Managing Director Steve Phimister said: “Despite the constraints placed on parts of our business due to the pandemic, PDO remained resolute in supporting In-Country Value, and specifically job creation challenges.

In 2021, the Emdad programme managed to secure more than 3,000 job and training opportunities for Omanis within the oil and gas sector.

“I would like to thank our partners for their continuous cooperation and effective contribution in identifying meaningful ways to upskill the local workforce and achieving the goals of this programme. Indeed, the reliability and quality of these trainings are a testament of the successful collaboration between PDO and its contractor community in this regard.”

The training programmes provided as part of these agreements will offer opportunities in several new fields with positions including Protection Testing Engineers, Electrical Inspectors, HVAC Specialists and Crane Operators. Other areas also include Mud Engineers, Electrical Assistants, Quality Assurance (QA)/Quality Control (QC) Engineers, and Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Specialists.

Additionally, as part of PDO’s drive to bridge the gap between academia and industry and to support the local education system, the company donated two heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) units to the University of Technology and Applied Sciences.

This donation will support in establishing the first HVAC discipline in the Sultanate of Oman with actual HVAC units and will enable students to gain practical skills.

To increase market demand for the graduates, the University will also work on improving its current diploma programme in AC to include courses in HVAC.