On-the-job training: Over 1,500 applications submitted in Oman

Muscat: More than 1,500 applications under the on-the-job training initiative have been submitted by the Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Development to employ Omani job seekers.

"The total number of applications for employment opportunities by small and medium enterprises reached 1,511, of which 627 were approved and the procedures for them are being completed, and 884 are under review," Oman News Agency (ONA), said in a statement.

The Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Development clarified that this is part of the on-the-job training initiative to employ job seekers in small and medium enterprises in its second edition, stressing that it will continue to receive requests from those institutions wishing to employ job seekers in various specialisations.

The authority urged business owners to take advantage of the on-the-job training initiative by registering the data of establishments wishing to benefit from training programme packages to support small and medium enterprises.

Pay grade

The support provided by the Ministry of Labour is to bear the costs of the monthly training grant for trainees, where for a full year, 100 per cent of the salary will be paid. A bachelor’s graduate will receive OMR 500 per month, a university diploma graduate will receive OMR 400 per month, and a general diploma graduate will receive OMR 300 per month.

The on-the-job training initiative comes with subsidised costs for job seekers by subjecting them to specialised on-the-job training programmes, which will contribute to enhancing their employability by providing them with the required professional skills.

The initiative targets all owners of small and medium enterprises. Job seekers registered with the Ministry of Labour will be selected, or according to the institution's nomination of whomever it deems appropriate to meet its needs and enhance the sustainability of its activities.

The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority indicated at the beginning of this year that the number of approvals for training opportunities issued by the Ministry of Labour amounted to 3,236 training opportunities.