Omantel empowers youth to tap into ‘smartphones repair industry’

Business Reporter -

Muscat, FEB 5 -

Twenty job-seekers have completed a 92-hours training programme on maintaining and repairing smartphones.

“This is the second batch to graduate from ‘Mehnati’ and it included 20 job-seekers, among them were differently abled people,” said Laila al Wahaibi, CSR Manager at Omantel, during a graduation honouring ceremony held at Omantel HQ on Tuesday.

As a national company that leads the digital transformation in the Sultanate, Omantel strives to offer youth greater opportunities and increase their footprint in technology. Through ‘Mehnati’, the company aims to prepare the ground for establishing more SMEs in the smartphone repair industry by providing participants with intensive lessons that are tailored to their needs. In addition, the programme is a platform for youth to boost their skills and knowledge in the industry which helps them in competing for relevant job opportunities in the market.

She further said, “All the graduates have received a certificate from Ministry of Manpower and they are now able to maintain and repair various smartphones. Moreover, in line with our efforts to push for an inclusive environment where everyone has an equal access to work and learning, we have included trainees with hearing-impairment. This also comes as part of Omantel’s efforts in contributing to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as disability has been referenced in various parts of the goals, like education, growth and employment.”

‘Mehnati’ initiative is implemented with a direct supervision of Ministry of Manpower and Sadara Institute, and the candidates are nominated by Public Authority of Manpower Register. To date, 40 job-seekers from the governorates of Muscat and Dakhiliyah have graduated from the programme and the training will continue with more three governorates.

Said al Shizani, a differently abled participant, said that the training programme is vital for his plan to launch his own business “We have learnt a lot and I now feel more confident with my skills in fixing the common smartphone problems.”