MUSCAT, MARCH 29
The National Professional Standards Strategy has achieved significant milestones, reflecting a tangible impact on labour market development. It has helped build a professional system based on competence, quality and organisation, comprising Omani citizens.
Speaking to the Observer, Zaher bin Abdullah al Sheikh, Director of the Professional Standards Department, affirmed that the strategy represents a fundamental pillar for building trust, competence and quality in the Omani labour market. Raising awareness of the strategy across all governorates is a pivotal step towards developing the work system and enhancing professional sustainability, in line with the Sultanate of Oman’s comprehensive development goals.
The strategy’s initiatives have focused on three main areas that have contributed to its development: establishing and activating sectoral skills units, implementing a professional accreditation system to ensure practitioners' competence and developing national professional standards to define the skills and knowledge required for each profession.
The figures reflect the progress achieved in this area, with the Ministry noting that the number of professional practice licences has exceeded 60,000, alongside more than 6,000 professional classification certificates, 151 approved professional standards and 132 professions currently undergoing classification. Increased oversight of the sector has led to the seizure of over 150 non-compliant certificates and more than 30 forged licences.
The Ministry indicated that progress towards the strategy’s targets reached 93 per cent in 2025. This includes the adoption of 88 national professional standards, the updating of 49 standards, the adoption of 49 qualification structures and the adoption of 18 professional frameworks.
Furthermore, the Ministry stated that the strategy has had a sustainable impact, including a greater emphasis on obtaining professional licences, enhanced governance and oversight, closer alignment of education with labour market needs and stronger protection against forgery and violations. The strategy aims to align skills with labour market demands, bridge the gap between educational outputs and economic sector needs, regulate the labour market and boost national productivity and competitiveness by empowering Omani workers and developing their skills. This aligns with the goals of Oman Vision 2040 in building a knowledge-based economy and strengthening human capital.
According to the latest statistics issued by the National Centre for Statistics and Information, the total number of Omani employees across all sectors reached 893,707 by the end of February. Approximately 63,873 workers were employed in the domestic and private sectors. The strategy supports Omani citizens by providing quality jobs and career pathways in future-oriented fields, contributing to the national economy’s entry into strategic industries and the development of a sustainable, knowledge-based economy.
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