OPAL OMAN

The Oman Energy Association (OPAL) has inaugurated the Vocational and Technical Education Booth as part of the Oman Science Festival 2026, taking place from 2 to 11 November at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre. OPAL is organising and managing the booth in partnership with the Directorate General of Vocational and Technical Education at the Ministry of Education, with the participation of several training institutions and supporting partners. Based on the concept of the “Skills Journey”, the booth features an interactive design that enables visitors to explore vocational and technical education pathways and programmes through a series of specialised stations. Visitors are also introduced to the “Professional Skills Passport”, which provides an overview of different specialisations, programmes and related career opportunities. The booth also highlights OPAL’s role in supporting and developing engineering and industrial specialisations through recognised occupational standards aligned with the needs of Oman’s energy and industrial sectors. This participation reflects OPAL’s ongoing commitment to promoting vocational and technical education pathways, aligning education and training outcomes with labour market requirements, and introducing students to promising career opportunities.

We invite you to visit the Oman Energy Association (OPAL)’s Vocational and Technical Education Booth at Oman Science Festival 2026. We look forward to welcoming you! 📅 2–11 November 2026 ⏰ 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM 📍 Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre #OPAL #OmanScienceFestival2026 #VocationalAndTechnicalEducation

Sunday, 1 November 2026 – The Oman Energy Association (OPAL), in collaboration with Superiority of Modern Services (SOMS), organised an induction session for participants enrolled in five specialised skills development and upskilling programmes funded by the Ministry of Labour. The initiative forms part of national efforts to develop and empower Omani talent and support its reintegration into the labour market through the Omanisation and localisation of routine maintenance services in the energy sector. The programmes aim to train and qualify 60 unemployed Omani nationals holding bachelor’s degrees in various engineering disciplines, preparing them to take up five targeted technical, engineering and supervisory roles within the sector. The six-month programmes will be delivered by the Technical & Administrative Training Institute (TATI), Takatuf Petrofac Oman (TPO), and Polyglot Institute. Combining theoretical and practical training, the programmes are designed to equip participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to meet industry requirements. Upon successfully completing all training requirements, participants will be employed by Superiority of Modern Services (SOMS), providing them with a direct pathway from training to employment.

Thursday, 29 October 2026 – The Oman Energy Association (OPAL) held the second meeting of the Mining Local Content Steering Committee for 2026, chaired by H.E. Mohsin bin Hamed Al Hadhrami, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, and attended by representatives of mining companies. The meeting focused on strengthening local content and enhancing coordination among stakeholders across the mining sector. Discussions covered key readiness indicators, timelines for regulatory updates and executive regulations, and the mechanisms for their implementation. These efforts aim to maximize In-Country Value (ICV), develop national talent, and enhance occupational health and safety standards throughout the mining sector’s supply chains. The meeting concluded with the identification of priority workstreams, the assignment of implementation responsibilities, and the establishment of clear timelines. These outcomes reaffirm the sector’s commitment to advancing local content and contributing to the achievement of Oman’s national economic diversification objectives.

Wednesday, 28 October 2026 – The Oman Energy Association (OPAL) and Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) have signed a strategic collaboration agreement aimed at accelerating the development and professional qualification of Omani talent across critical technical disciplines, strengthening workforce readiness and addressing the evolving needs of the energy sector. Under this partnership, both parties will work together to develop comprehensive competency frameworks and clear career progression pathways aligned with National Occupational Standards (NOS). The partnership will also focus on measuring tangible outcomes through key indicators, including sustainable employment, workforce retention, and professional advancement. This agreement reflects the shared commitment to strengthening sustainable local content, empowering national talent, and creating career pathways that support continuous professional growth, enabling Omanis to play a leading role in shaping the future of the Sultanate’s energy sector.

Tuesday, 27 October 2026 – The Oman Energy Association (OPAL) participated in an awareness seminar on the Vocational and Technical Education Pathway, organised by Knowledge Grid Academy in coordination with the Office of the Wali of Al Suwaiq. The seminar aimed to introduce the pathway, its engineering and industrial specialisations, and its role in preparing national talent to meet labour market needs. Discussions covered the pathway’s objectives and specialisations, emphasising the integration of theoretical learning and practical training to equip students with the skills required for employment, particularly in the energy and industrial sectors. OPAL also highlighted its strategic role in developing the pathway and aligning its outcomes with industry needs by strengthening collaboration with educational and training institutions. These efforts aim to develop qualified Omani talent, enhance employment opportunities, and support Oman’s sustainable development goals.

Wednesday, 21 October 2026 – The Oman Energy Association (OPAL) participated as the technical sponsor of the Oman Collegiate Programming Contest 2026 (OCPC), organised by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT) and hosted by Sultan Qaboos University. The competition brought together talented students from higher education institutions across the Sultanate of Oman. The competition aims to strengthen young talents’ analytical thinking, algorithm design, and complex problem-solving skills, helping prepare a generation equipped to lead digital transformation and enhance Oman’s presence in regional and international programming and technology competitions. OPAL’s sponsorship reflects its continued commitment to directing its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives towards investing in human capital, empowering young people, and fostering partnerships that promote innovation and technological advancement. These efforts contribute to building a knowledge- and technology-driven national economy and supporting Oman’s sustainable development journey.