Standards Strategy Boosts Labour Market Growth: Key Benefits for Investors and Entrepreneurs in Oman
MUSCAT, MARCH 29 — The National Professional Standards Strategy has reached significant milestones, demonstrating a measurable impact on the development of Oman’s labour market. The strategy has established a professional framework grounded in competence, quality, and organisation, focused on empowering Omani citizens.
Zaher bin Abdullah al Sheikh, Director of the Professional Standards Department, told the Observer that the strategy is a cornerstone for fostering trust, competence, and quality within the Omani labour market. He emphasized that raising awareness of the strategy throughout all governorates is crucial for advancing work systems and promoting professional sustainability, in alignment with Oman’s comprehensive national development objectives.
The strategy’s key initiatives have concentrated on three pillars: the establishment and activation of sectoral skills units, the implementation of a professional accreditation system to validate practitioners’ competence, and the development of national professional standards that clearly define the skills and knowledge required for each profession.
Progress is evident through compelling statistics. The Ministry of Labour reports that over 60,000 professional practice licences have been issued, alongside more than 6,000 professional classification certificates. A total of 151 professional standards have been approved, while 132 professions are currently in the classification process. Strengthened oversight has resulted in the confiscation of over 150 non-compliant certificates and more than 30 forged licences.
By 2025, the Ministry estimates that progress toward the strategy’s goals has reached 93 percent. This includes the adoption of 88 national professional standards, the revision of 49 standards, the establishment of 49 qualification structures, and the approval of 18 professional frameworks.
The Ministry further highlighted that the strategy has yielded sustainable outcomes such as increased demand for professional licences, improved governance and regulatory oversight, better alignment between educational programs and labour market needs, and enhanced protection against forgery and malpractice. The strategy aims to synchronize workforce skills with labour market demands, reduce the gap between educational output and sectoral economic needs, regulate the labour market effectively, and elevate national productivity and competitiveness by empowering Omanis and enhancing their skills. These objectives align with Oman Vision 2040’s goal of building a knowledge-based economy and strengthening human capital.
According to the National Centre for Statistics and Information, by the end of February, the total Omani workforce reached 893,707 across all sectors, including approximately 63,873 workers employed in domestic and private sectors. The strategy supports Omanis by facilitating access to quality employment and career opportunities in forward-looking industries, contributing to the national economy’s advancement into strategic sectors and fostering a sustainable, knowledge-driven economic future.
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The National Professional Standards Strategy is a game-changer for Oman’s labour market, enhancing workforce competence, quality, and governance while aligning skills with economic needs. For businesses, this means greater trust in qualified professionals and improved productivity, while smart investors and entrepreneurs should focus on sectors benefiting from skilled Omani talent and emerging knowledge-based industries aligned with Oman Vision 2040. This strategy also mitigates risks related to unqualified labor and forgery, promoting a transparent and sustainable business environment.
