Pilot project to train Omanis in telecom services

MUSCAT, JAN 6 - A pilot programme aimed at opening up new opportunities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and providing hands-on technical training to Omani youths in the telecom industry has been launched.
According to a statement from Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), this is the second phase of a project that was unveiled in the beginning of 2018 with support from different stakeholders in the project.
“The current initiative is to create a pilot programme that is open to Omani SMEs which will develop business through Oman’s local training incubator programmes and hands-on technical training in performing the last-mile connectivity (LMC) services,” the statement said.
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed between TRA and Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) to train 200 Omani youths for two years.
The last-mile is a phrase widely used in the telecommunications and related industries to refer to the final leg of networks that deliver services to retail end-users.
According to Dr Hamed al Rawah, Executive President of the TRA, “The LMC programme is a great example of the way we should look to work in the ICT sector projects as we move towards the future of Oman. This is a programme designed and developed by Omanis for the benefit of Omanis.”
The training programme will also result in keeping a check on the number of companies operating in the sector leading to unhealthy competition due to lowering of prices beyond a sustainable level.
This often creates problems for the survival of well-established businesses.
Referring to the MoU, PDO Managing Director Raoul Restucci said, “We are determined to sustain our efforts to create employment and business opportunities for job-seekers in a variety of economic sectors, including telecommunications.
By joining forces with trusted partners such as the TRA, PDO aims not only to create job opportunities for young Omanis, but also to equip them with the tools and skillsets which will empower them to start their own businesses,” he added.
Omar al Qatabi, chairman of the project steering committee, said, “This project is very ambitious as it would open up new opportunities for many SMEs in the telecom industry directly with the licensed operators and would open the opportunity for the job-seekers.”
The first phase had participation from several stakeholders like the telecom operators, Oman Development Bank, the National Business Centre, SME Authority (Riyada) and others.
They have worked jointly to develop a strategic framework and governance policies to regulate the LMC services and accelerate the national development of Omanis.
The second phase of the project is to create a programme that is open to Omani SMEs that will develop businesses to perform LMC services.
These companies will be primarily operated and run by Omanis, which will help increase opportunities for citizens and decrease unemployment
numbers.