Muscat: The first batch of the 'Be with us for them' initiative graduated as the Ministry of Social Development celebrated the achievement at the College of Banking and Finance Studies.
The graduation of 84 male and female graduates from the first batch of the 'Be with us for them' initiative trained persons with disabilities in various professional areas, which included customer service, office management, printing and photocopying of documents, and electronic archiving.
The exciting achievement is that 55 of the trainees who have graduated have already been offered jobs by the private sector making them earning members of the society.
The initiative comes in partnership between the Ministry of Social Development, the Human Development Centre for Disabilities and the Omani Energy Association (OPAL).
The aim is to improve and develop work systems in the sense of social responsibility, highlight the role of government, private and civil agencies in supporting people with disabilities, and create an integrated institutional community partnership system.
The ceremony, which was held at the College of Banking and Financial Studies, was held under the auspices of Dr Laila bint Ahmed al Najar, Minister of Social Development, in the presence of the Awatif bint Muharib al Salman, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Specialised Human Development Centre for Disabilities.
Awatif stated that the initiative is the first of its kind in the Sultanate of Oman, and was launched last September in a strategic partnership between the Ministry of Social Development and the Centre for the Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities. In its first phase, the initiative targeted people with mental, visual as well as mild and moderate hearing disabilities.
She added that the initiative contributes to the job empowerment of persons with disabilities with a number of 500 beneficiaries by the year 2027. In its first year, it focused on training employees in the private sector, and 55 direct job opportunities, paid training, and associated employment were obtained, through the participation of 13 private sector members.
“The objective is to support persons with disabilities and to include and empower them in the society. Our plan is to hire every year - that is to train 100 and employ hundred people for five years. We hope we will have some impact on these members of our society especially in integrating them with the community. We are thrilled to see the happiness among the graduates along with their parents, said Abdulrahman al Yahyai CEO of OPAL while speaking to Observer.
"It was an emotional event for the remaining graduates who have not acquired a job yet we are still looking out for job opportunities for them. We also hope to start the next batch soon for another hundred persons with disabilities. We thank the Ministry of Social Development and the private sector for their contribution and support,” he added.
Shihab bin Hamad al Nasseri said, “Today we have embarked on the path of challenge and persistence for a better tomorrow and a more beautiful life for us and the rest of our colleagues, God willing, as we all felt that we were on an equal footing with the rest of society.” Kholoud bint Abdullah al Shehiyah said, “This is the precious opportunity that refined our personalities, developed our skills, and strengthened our feet on the path to the future."
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