Second phase of national skills programme begins

MUSCAT: The National Youth Programme for Skills Development, organised by the Diwan of Royal Court, launched the second phase of the youth pathway at the Al Wahat Club on Saturday. It marks the first gathering of the participants of the current phase.
The programme’s administrative team welcomed the participants. A number of technical partners presented displays explaining the most important stops the participants will pass through and the areas they need to focus during this phase. The participants were given feedback about the most important points that need to be developed on the
personal level.
The National Youth Programme for Skills Development includes two phases, the first of which was dedicated to youngsters aged between 15 and 17. The second phase targets training of youths aged between 18 and 29. It aims to develop skills and knowledge to boost work performance.

The two-year programme will raise the awareness and knowledge of participants about the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) as well as the modern technologies. The second phase will train 100 young participants so that they are able to benefit from the Fourth Industrial Revolution trends (4IR) as well as set up 100 tech companies to support the national economy. These goals will be realised through an educational and scientific journey inside and outside the Sultanate in partnership with a number of local and international organisations. This will contribute to creating a generation of Omani entrepreneurs armed with the best international practices.
The second phase of the youth pathways will include three rounds; the first of which will begin at the end of January with an intensive boot camp that aims to improve the participants’ understanding of the market requirements and developing an action plan. The boot camp involves a number of interactive programmes aimed at building the team and improving leadership as well as problem-solving and decision-making skills and innovation.
This will be followed by the two-week long second round to be held in Singapore and Switzerland where the participants will work to develop ideas on tech projects by laying down plans for the implementation, funding and marketing. The participants will also undergo new innovation experiments and will explore international experiences. The third round will begin in September during which the participants are expected to present their projects to investment authorities.
The second phase of the youth pathways will be executed in partnership with a number of leading skill-development and 4IR local and international organisations such as Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore, Federal Polytechnic School of Lausanne and Outward Bound Oman.
— ONA