In a proactive move to enhance vocational guidance services in the Sultanate of Oman, a forum on Tuesday underscored the significance of vocational guidance as a critical element fostering cohesion between educational outcomes and the dynamic demands of the labour market.
The forum aimed to elevate the quality of vocational guidance programmes offered by the National Employment Programme through the Khatta platform for vocational guidance, focusing on broadening its reach to the widest spectrum of beneficiaries.
Central to this initiative is vocational guidance's role in shaping informed professional decisions among individuals, influencing academic and career choices. By offering guidance grounded in scientific principles and cultivating essential skills for professional success, the service bolsters the preparedness of educational institutions' graduates for the intricacies of the labour market.
Dr Badr al Kharousi, Capacity Building Adviser at the National Employment Programme, emphasised the forum's significance in his opening address. He highlighted the objectives and services of the Khatta platform for vocational guidance, emphasising its accessibility to all segments of society, particularly higher education students.
Dr Al Kharousi underscored the relevance of vocational guidance in the Fourth Industrial Revolution era, addressing key challenges and exploring the intersection of technology, vocational guidance, and the evolving role of specialists in an era dominated by artificial intelligence.
The forum featured presentations of scholarly papers detailing essential programmes and training courses provided by the Khatta platform. It showcased future skills aligned with the Omani national framework, encompassing basic, applied, and professional skills essential for users. Papers also delved into the roles and responsibilities of career guidance specialists in higher education institutions, emphasising the importance of aligning academic specialisations with students' inclinations, abilities, and professional values.
Furthermore, the forum spotlighted the imperative of educating students on selecting academic specialisations that resonate with their aptitudes. It stressed the significance of obtaining professional certificates to enhance employability, facilitating connections between specialisations and job market demands. Additionally, the forum emphasised the importance of students understanding the needs of the labour market and provided resources to aid them in making informed decisions about their career paths.
The proceedings also shed light on the self-employment initiative championed by the National Employment Programme in collaboration with government and private entities. Presentations covered the initiative's objectives, key components, and fundamental capabilities, aiming to create an integrated support system for self-employed individuals in the Sultanate of Oman.
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