PDO celebrates virtual graduation of 200 job seekers

Muscat: Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) on Thursday celebrated the graduation of around 200 young Omanis as part of its Emdad initiative.

The trainees were the 17th batch to graduate from the programme which was launched in 2011 to create job and training opportunities for Omani jobseekers in the oil and gas sector and beyond.

They were enrolled in different technical and non-technical training-for-employment and on-job training programmes which are in line with the Company’s efforts to support the government’s economic diversification drive.

The graduates are now qualified to work in a range of sectors and trades including quality assurance/quality control engineers, planning engineers, commissioning engineers, mud engineers, HSE advisors and mechanical technicians. The batch also includes 32 graduates with special needs who will be employed in administrative positions.

The graduation ceremony was held virtually under the patronage of Sayyid Salim Musallam al Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Labour for Human Resources Development.

PDO Managing Director Raoul Restucci said: “We are proud of the ongoing commitment to create sustainable jobs for young Omani which will enable them to build rewarding careers, support their families and play their role in fostering the nation’s development.

“The success of these young graduates is another example of PDO’s dedication to support the Sultanate’s economy and local employment. The provision of sustainable goods and services by Omanis in Oman is a core pillar of our In-Country Value programme which also includes social investment and the development of local community companies.

Having successfully completed training programmes lasting from six to 24 months at different training institutes and companies, the graduates are now certified to have full-time paid positions at several companies.

The Emadad initiative seeks to improve employment opportunities for Omani jobseekers by providing vocational training, scholarship opportunities and apprenticeship programmes. Emdad continues to co-ordinate directly with relevant government bodies and the private sector to create sustainable opportunities as per the job market needs. --ONA