Dedicated skills unit for logistics sector to come up in Oman

Muscat: A first-of-its-kind skill development unit for the logistics sector will come up in Oman soon.
The Occupational Standards Centre (OSC) has licenced Oman Logistics Association (OLA) to establish a Skills Unit (SSU) for the Logistics Sector for the purpose at a ceremony held at headquarters of the Ministry of Manpower.
The SSU, under the guidance of the OSC, is going to play a pivotal role in developing the competency-based skill development system in the Sultanate.
As one of the Tanfeedh initiatives, OSC under the Ministry of Manpower is mandated to support the establishment of SSU as sectoral industry-representative bodies. Speaking on occasion Dr. Mohamad Al-Najjar, Director of OSC, said: “Developing the industry ready local workforce is of utmost importance for the success of Omanisation efforts. OSC will be regulating the development of the National Occupational Standards (NOS) and its applications through SSUs to align the skill development efforts in the Sultanate to meet industry demands.”
Briefing about the role of SSU in the skill development system Dr. Aflah Al-Hadhrami, OLA Board Chairman, has highlighted that SSU will play a central role in developing a demand-driven skill development system. SSU will provide a platform “for the industry” “by the industry” to capture the industry’s skill demands and occupational standards. The SSU, in collaboration with industry, will be developing the NOSs for the sector and will also conduct regular research on the skill demands and supply.
Development of Operations General Manager, Badar Al-Shidi, thanked OSC for selecting OLA as the hosting organisation for the SSU for Logistics sector. He commented that “the SSU will support OLA’s efforts to bring standardization and industry co-operation in skill development for the sector.” Talking about NOS, he added that “NOS captures the performance standards practiced in the industry, and these become the foundation for the skill development programs, resulting in the productive workforce for the industry.” The ceremony was attended by the representatives from the Ministry of Manpower, Ministry of Transport and ASYAD group, Tanfeedh Committee Members and industry experts from leading logistics companies and official from OSC and OLA.