MUSCAT: SOHAR Port and Freezone in collaboration with Oman Sail and celebrated the success of SOHAR Works, a graduate development programme run in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour, with a closing ceremony held under the auspices of Shaikh Saif bin Hamyar Al Malek al Shihi, Governor of Al Batinah North, at the Sohar Radisson Blu.
SOHAR Works aims to develop a strong Omani workforce and fill job vacancies with skilled graduates within the SOHAR Port and Freezone. In total, the course runs for one-year, delivered in three stages. The graduating class have now completed the programme delivered by Zimam, Oman Sail’s learning and development programme and have been placed at the ASYAD Ports, VA Tech WABAG, Hutchison Ports Sohar and SOHAR Port and Freezone.
Omar al Mahrazi, CEO of SOHAR Freezone, said, “SOHAR is firmly committed to providing Omani graduates with employment and training opportunities so that they can develop skills, gain experience and take the first steps in a successful career. Sohar Works will continue to play an important role in meeting the objectives of Oman Vision 2040 as we work together with tenants at SOHAR to enrich the Omani workforce, fill gaps in the employment market with local talent and offer value to the growing range of companies choosing to base themselves at SOHAR.”
Al Mahrazi added, “Our aim to upskill young talent doesn’t end with our own employees, but extends to our tenant companies. By opening SOHAR Works up in this way we ensure that the Port and Freezone have a competitive Omani workforce that is skilled, empowered and keen to contribute to industrial growth in the Sultanate of Oman.”
Dr Khamis al Jabri, CEO of Oman Sail, said, “Oman Sail is incredibly proud of the achievements of Sohar Works and through our national development programme, Zimam, we are confident of the long-term benefits to young Omanis entering the workforce and national industries. The variety of opportunities available at SOHAR make it the ideal place to learn a diverse range of skills and make a significant contribution to the country’s ongoing economic diversification plans.”
The first stage comprises seven weeks of personal development with Zimam, five weeks of technical training with the International Maritime College Oman (IMCO) and 40 weeks of on-the-job training with companies based within the SOHAR complex. Through this initiative, SOHAR aims to provide the local market with qualified and creative young Omani individuals, offer added value to companies and simultaneously contribute to the national economy.
