Align vocational training with market demands

MUSCAT, NOV 5

In an era of rapid economic change, aligning educational pathways with labour market needs is no longer just an advantage — it’s a necessity. The call for reform in Oman’s vocational education system was voiced by Jamal al Abri, a member of the Education, Scientific Research and Innovation Committee in Majlis Ash'shura.

At the committee’s annual meeting, Al Abri presented a comprehensive vision for updating vocational and technical education in Omani schools, arguing that these reforms are essential to prepare young Omanis for real-world opportunities and address the nation’s evolving economic demands.

Al Abri’s address served as a wake-up call to the fundamental misalignment between educational training and industry requirements in Oman. As he pointed out, many of the vocational programmes available to Omani youth today fall short of addressing the needs of high-growth sectors such as healthcare, tourism and defence. This skills gap not only hampers individual career prospects, but also limits the national economy by forcing Oman to rely on imported talent for specialised roles. With these challenges in mind, Al Abri and the Education Committee have laid out a clear plan to reorient vocational training, calling for strategic updates that will empower Omani youth with the skills necessary to thrive in a competitive job market.

In his address, Al Abri identified Oman’s skills gap as both a challenge and an opportunity. While current vocational programmes provide a foundational education, they often fail to equip students with the specialised skills needed in Oman’s fastest-growing sectors. As the country strives to diversify its economy, this gap has become a pressing issue. The proposed solution, according to Al Abri, involves a robust review and restructuring of vocational curricula to align more closely with industry needs. By doing so, Oman could create a dynamic workforce ready to step into vital roles across sectors, including healthcare and tourism, that are critical to its economic future.

A significant element of the committee’s proposal involves strengthening partnerships between educational institutions and industry stakeholders. Al Abri stressed that these collaborations are essential for designing curricula that accurately reflect the needs of employers. When educational institutions work directly with industry leaders, vocational programmes can be fine-tuned to ensure students are not just well-educated but also job-ready upon graduation.

Engaging industry in the education process could revolutionise how vocational skills are taught, shifting the focus from theoretical knowledge to practical expertise. Such industry-aligned programmes can offer hands-on training that prepares students for the exact environments they’ll encounter in their careers, whether in healthcare, tourism, or defence.

Al Abri also recommended increasing funding for these programmes, emphasising that proper investment is crucial to expanding and enhancing vocational education in Oman. This investment, he argued, is not only an educational priority but an economic one, as it will allow Oman to build a resilient workforce capable of driving future growth.

To advance its vision, the Education Committee has proposed several concrete reforms:

1. Adding New Specialisations: The committee recommends the introduction of vocational programmes specifically designed for high-demand fields such as healthcare, tourism and defence. These specialisations would address critical workforce shortages and direct young Omanis towards stable, rewarding careers in sectors with substantial growth potential.

2. Enhancing Practical Training: Recognising the importance of real-world experience, the committee advocates for expanding practical training within vocational programmes. By incorporating more hands-on learning opportunities, students can build the technical skills and workplace readiness needed to excel immediately in their chosen fields.

3. Ongoing Curriculum Updates: The committee proposes regular updates to vocational curricula to ensure continued alignment with labour market needs. This proactive approach would allow the education system to adapt to changing industry demands, ensuring that graduates possess the skills that employers value most and are better positioned to find employment upon graduation.

Through these targeted reforms, the Education Committee is ensuring that Oman’s education system is equipped to meet the needs of a complex and competitive global economy.