HR forum empowers Oman's energy workforce
Published: 04:05 PM,May 19,2025 | EDITED : 07:05 PM,May 19,2025
The event highlights Oman’s efforts to promote economic diversification and empower its national workforce.
MUSCAT: The Ministry of Energy and Minerals has launched the inaugural Energy Sector Human Resources Forum, held under the auspices of Eng Salim bin Nasser al Aufi, Minister of Energy and Minerals. Taking place from May 19–20, 2025, at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, the forum aims to reshape human capital development in the energy sector in alignment with Oman Vision 2040.
DRIVING TRANSFORMATION THROUGH HUMAN CAPITAL
Bringing together executive leaders, HR professionals, academics, and policymakers, the forum underscores the urgency of building an agile, future-ready workforce amid rapid changes in the global energy landscape. The event highlights Oman’s efforts to promote economic diversification and empower its national workforce.
In his opening speech, Eng Salim al Aufi emphasised the forum’s role in fostering collaborative thinking and policy innovation. He stressed that empowering Omani talent, enhancing workplace well-being, and nurturing supportive environments are vital to boosting institutional performance and national competitiveness. He called on participants to reimagine HR strategies, strengthen academia-industry ties, and advance public-private cooperation.
Held under the theme “Strategic Human Resources in the Energy Sector,” the forum tackled four priority areas:
1. Leadership Resilience in navigating economic and technological disruption.
2. Innovative Omanization, bridging the gap between education and employment.
3. Future Skills, focusing on digital transformation and workforce upskilling.
4. Mental Health & Safety, promoting stability and productivity at work.
The first day featured four interactive workshops facilitated by industry experts. These sessions encouraged participants to propose practical, actionable solutions to HR challenges, which will be reviewed for integration into sector-wide policies.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP AND ACADEMIA-INDUSTRY DIALOGUE
A CEO panel headlined the first day, offering insights into labour market shifts, talent retention, and the impact of digitalisation on leadership models.
On the second day, the forum hosted an academic session titled “Integration of Knowledge and Energy”, featuring top university leaders from Sultan Qaboos University, the University of Technology and Applied Sciences, and the German University of Technology in Oman. The session focused on aligning academic curricula with industry needs and fostering R&D partnerships to support energy innovation.
Participants also joined expert-led knowledge exchange sessions exploring practical solutions to the forum’s key themes. Attendees were awarded participation certificates, reinforcing the forum’s emphasis on engagement and learning.
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS AND AGREEMENTS
The forum also served as a platform for signing several high-impact agreements and MoUs aimed at advancing workforce development and sector innovation. Highlights included:
PDO & SMEDA: Supporting SMEs in the solar energy sector through the Ishraq Programme.
PDO, Oman LNG & Sur LNG: Enhancing talent mobility through a joint MoU on talent acquisition
PDO & Takatuf: Providing advanced human capital services.
Shell & Takatuf Petrofac Oman (TPO): Launching training programs for technical operators.
OPAL & Oman Energy Institute: Developing clean energy training programmes.
OPAL & TPO Centte: Expanding vocational training opportunities.
MEM & Rihal: Creating a digital dashboard to monitor rig and jack-up contracts for greater transparency.
A PLATFORM FOR SUSTAINABLE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
The forum concluded with a commitment to transforming dialogue into action. Recommendations and insights generated during the event will be submitted to the Ministry of Energy and Minerals to inform future policies and initiatives.
As a cornerstone initiative, the Energy Sector Human Resources Forum marks the beginning of a structured, long-term approach to building a resilient, skilled, and competitive national workforce—paving the way for a more integrated, innovative, and sustainable energy future in Oman.
DRIVING TRANSFORMATION THROUGH HUMAN CAPITAL
Bringing together executive leaders, HR professionals, academics, and policymakers, the forum underscores the urgency of building an agile, future-ready workforce amid rapid changes in the global energy landscape. The event highlights Oman’s efforts to promote economic diversification and empower its national workforce.
In his opening speech, Eng Salim al Aufi emphasised the forum’s role in fostering collaborative thinking and policy innovation. He stressed that empowering Omani talent, enhancing workplace well-being, and nurturing supportive environments are vital to boosting institutional performance and national competitiveness. He called on participants to reimagine HR strategies, strengthen academia-industry ties, and advance public-private cooperation.
Held under the theme “Strategic Human Resources in the Energy Sector,” the forum tackled four priority areas:
1. Leadership Resilience in navigating economic and technological disruption.
2. Innovative Omanization, bridging the gap between education and employment.
3. Future Skills, focusing on digital transformation and workforce upskilling.
4. Mental Health & Safety, promoting stability and productivity at work.
The first day featured four interactive workshops facilitated by industry experts. These sessions encouraged participants to propose practical, actionable solutions to HR challenges, which will be reviewed for integration into sector-wide policies.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP AND ACADEMIA-INDUSTRY DIALOGUE
A CEO panel headlined the first day, offering insights into labour market shifts, talent retention, and the impact of digitalisation on leadership models.
On the second day, the forum hosted an academic session titled “Integration of Knowledge and Energy”, featuring top university leaders from Sultan Qaboos University, the University of Technology and Applied Sciences, and the German University of Technology in Oman. The session focused on aligning academic curricula with industry needs and fostering R&D partnerships to support energy innovation.
Participants also joined expert-led knowledge exchange sessions exploring practical solutions to the forum’s key themes. Attendees were awarded participation certificates, reinforcing the forum’s emphasis on engagement and learning.
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS AND AGREEMENTS
The forum also served as a platform for signing several high-impact agreements and MoUs aimed at advancing workforce development and sector innovation. Highlights included:
PDO & SMEDA: Supporting SMEs in the solar energy sector through the Ishraq Programme.
PDO, Oman LNG & Sur LNG: Enhancing talent mobility through a joint MoU on talent acquisition
PDO & Takatuf: Providing advanced human capital services.
Shell & Takatuf Petrofac Oman (TPO): Launching training programs for technical operators.
OPAL & Oman Energy Institute: Developing clean energy training programmes.
OPAL & TPO Centte: Expanding vocational training opportunities.
MEM & Rihal: Creating a digital dashboard to monitor rig and jack-up contracts for greater transparency.
A PLATFORM FOR SUSTAINABLE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
The forum concluded with a commitment to transforming dialogue into action. Recommendations and insights generated during the event will be submitted to the Ministry of Energy and Minerals to inform future policies and initiatives.
As a cornerstone initiative, the Energy Sector Human Resources Forum marks the beginning of a structured, long-term approach to building a resilient, skilled, and competitive national workforce—paving the way for a more integrated, innovative, and sustainable energy future in Oman.