Skills Gap and Work Culture Challenges: Key Factors Shaping Oman’s Labour Market for Investors and Business Owners
MUSCAT, APRIL 1 — Structural gaps in skills alignment and workplace culture, rather than merely job availability, are significantly influencing Oman’s labour market outcomes, according to a training and development expert. Saif al Zaabi, Training and Development Consultant at Efficiency Training Institute (ETI), emphasized the need for a more integrated approach linking policy, education, and enterprise growth.
Al Zaabi highlighted that labour market performance is largely determined by how well regulations support business expansion, particularly for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), while ensuring that education and training systems equip the workforce with skills that match market demands.
“The issue is multi-dimensional,” Al Zaabi explained. “Job availability relies heavily on policies and legislation that foster institutional growth, especially for SMEs. Simultaneously, there is a significant gap between the specialised skills required by the labour market and the competencies produced by academic education.”
He noted that many graduates possess strong theoretical knowledge but often lack the practical skills necessary for immediate application in the workplace, hindering their ability to quickly meet employers’ needs.
Al Zaabi also pointed out that training programmes frequently fall short of producing tangible employment outcomes because they are not consistently aligned with actual institutional demand.
“Training is effective when it addresses a genuine institutional need, rather than being viewed as a standalone activity,” he said. “If training lacks practical relevance or isn’t tied to a specific hiring, replacement, or expansion plan, it becomes merely a resume addition instead of a pathway to employment.”
Moreover, he stressed the importance of enhancing work culture to improve labour market efficiency.
“The challenge extends beyond providing physical workspace; it involves cultivating the right mindset and work environment,” Al Zaabi said. “We must transition from a culture of waiting and entitlement to one driven by initiative and value creation.”
When asked about priorities, he asserted that improving work culture should come first, with education and training serving as essential enabling tools.
“Education and training are vital, but work culture is the true engine,” he stated. “Without a culture that prioritizes productivity, quality, and continuous learning, these investments risk underutilization.”
Al Zaabi concluded that advancing Oman’s labour market requires supportive legislation to facilitate institutional growth alongside education and training systems focused on practical, market-relevant skills aligned with current and future labour demands.
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Oman’s labour market challenges stem from misaligned skills and work culture, not just job availability, highlighting a strategic need for policies that integrate education, training, and enterprise growth, especially within SMEs. Smart investors and entrepreneurs should focus on work culture transformation and practical skills development to unlock productivity and market adaptability, while advocating for regulatory frameworks that enable institutional expansion and effectively link training to real employment outcomes.
