Sixty Omanis graduate from PDO-sponsored training courses

Sixty young Omanis officially graduated from PDO-sponsored training courses yesterday to take up full-time work in the oil and gas industry.

A celebration event was held at Muscat’s InterContinental hotel to honour their success under the auspices of Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al Bakri, Minister of Manpower.

A total of 34 have qualified as drilling fluids engineers, 21 as derrickmen and five as roustabouts.

They will work with PDO contractors Dalma Energy, Abraj Energy Services, National Drilling and Services Company and (Drilling) Mud Industries.

Their training was conducted under PDO’s National Objectives programme, which is also working to boost employment beyond its natural boundaries and recently announced a major initiative to support the creation of 50,000 jobs across various sectors.

PDO External Affairs and Value Creation Director Abdul-Amir Abdul-Hussein Al Ajmi said: “The graduation of these young Omanis is further testimony to the success of our National Objectives programme which is producing qualified Omanis for positions with low Omanisation rates but high industry demand.

“The successful graduates have all shown they are willing and able to take on a new challenge to improve themselves, make a difference to their own lives and play their part in building Oman’s future. I thank them for their hard work, commitment and dedication.

“We will continue to sponsor vocational training for young Omanis in the oil and gas sector, while working in parallel to ensure nationals are given training to work in meaningful and rewarding jobs in other parts of the economy so the Sultanate can broaden and diversify its skills base.”

The latest batch of graduates, including Bachelor of Science degree holders and school leavers, have all been trained to international standards, either gaining International Association of Drilling Contractors or International Well Control Forum accreditations.