MUSCAT : In implementation of the supreme directives of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to accelerate the pace of employment for citizens, the Ministry of Labour has announced an integrated national plan for employment and skills development aimed at providing 60,000 job opportunities during 2026, through an effective partnership between the public and private sectors.

The Ministry stated that the comprehensive plan is based on a strategic partnership involving government entities, government-owned companies, and private sector institutions, and has been developed following an in-depth analysis of labour market needs. The plan focuses on linking employment opportunities to high value-added sectors and aligning education and training outcomes with the requirements of the national economy, thereby enhancing the efficiency and competitiveness of the national workforce.

According to the Ministry, 10,000 jobs will be provided in the government sector, including civilian, military, and security institutions, based on carefully assessed needs. These opportunities aim to enhance the efficiency of the state’s administrative apparatus, improve the quality of public services, and support priority developmental and service sectors.

In addition, 17,000 opportunities will be offered through government support tracks, including wage support programmes, training linked to employment, and on-the-job training. These tracks are designed to equip job seekers with practical and professional skills, enhance job readiness, and ensure sustainable integration into the labour market.

The private sector will provide 33,000 job opportunities, reflecting its role as the main driver of employment and economic growth. These opportunities will be delivered through partnerships with private sector institutions and overseen by employment governance committees. The targeted sectors include industry, oil and gas, transport and logistics, tourism, banking, health, education, real estate development, information technology, communications, food security, public services, financial services, mining, retail, construction, and other sectors supporting economic diversification.

His Excellency Dr. Mahad bin Said Baawain, Minister of Labour, said the supreme directives of His Majesty embody a forward-looking vision to build a balanced economy driven by qualified Omani talent. He noted that the national employment plan goes beyond numerical targets, focusing instead on creating quality and sustainable jobs linked to training and qualification, and aligned with current and future labour market needs.

The Minister added that the plan will be implemented in accordance with clear performance indicators, robust governance mechanisms, and regular monitoring to ensure transparency, address challenges, and maximise developmental impact. He stressed that integration between employment policies and education and training policies is a cornerstone of the plan, highlighting ongoing efforts to strengthen partnerships with educational institutions and the private sector to ensure skills alignment and job stability.

His Excellency called for positive engagement with the national initiative and emphasised that employment is a shared national responsibility, noting that sustainable development can only be achieved through coordinated efforts and unified visions across all sectors of the economy.

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