Sunday 17 / November / 2024
Muscat: The Ministry of Labour is initiating a modern transformation of job functions and market requirements to empower job seekers and entrepreneurs, stimulating sectors to create employment opportunities for Omanis and address the challenges faced by job seekers. To support this initiative, the ministry is offering flexible solutions aligned with Oman Vision 2040, which focuses on expanding investment and enhancing the national economy to create a conducive work environment for investors and entrepreneurs.
“Tawteen” platform
The Ministry of Labour has launched the “Tawteen” platform, a new integrated digital ecosystem designed to connect job seekers with employment opportunities across various sectors while fostering an environment that empowers local companies and suppliers to expand and enhance competitiveness. Aligned with Oman’s national vision, “Tawteen” is a strategic tool aimed at enabling local talent and maximising their contributions to the country’s economic development.
The platform enables comprehensive monitoring and analysis of the Omani labour market, covering both supply and demand aspects. It serves as a vital link between Omani talent and employment opportunities in traditional jobs, entrepreneurship, and freelancing. By offering detailed insights into employment trends, the platform supports decision-makers in aligning hiring strategies with economic goals, ultimately helping to develop national talent and attract skilled workers to key sectors.
Amid Oman’s employment transformation, “Tawteen” also plays a central role in supporting the work of 16 sectoral governance committees for employment. These committees, representing a partnership between the public and private sectors and civil society, operate under the guidance of senior sector leaders. Their goal is to enhance local value, build value chains, and support sustainable economic growth in alignment with national employment targets.
The platform offers several innovative solutions, including a streamlined registration process for companies and suppliers, enhancing transparency and efficiency in resource management. Additionally, “Tawteen” promotes local value by tracking Omani products, monitoring operational contracts, and maintaining an updated database of job opportunities. Its performance dashboards provide real-time insights into employment metrics, local value-added, and local product data, facilitating contracts, tenders, and contract monitoring.
By providing instant access to labour market data, “Tawteen” enables decision-makers to make informed, strategic decisions. More than just an operational tool, the platform is a key asset for empowering Omani youth with opportunities tailored to their qualifications and career aspirations. It also allows companies to invest effectively in local resources, aligning with the objectives of the National Employment Programme to create sustainable solutions for Oman’s workforce. This forward-thinking approach aligns with Oman Vision 2040 and is guided by the Royal directives of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to promote sustainable development and foster national talent.
Through “Tawteen,” the Ministry of Labour is reinforcing its commitment to creating a dynamic, responsive employment landscape, supporting Oman’s economic growth, and advancing opportunities for its workforce.
Job application system
The Ministry has also introduced a job application system that aligns job opportunities with the skills of job seekers, enhancing employment prospects for Omanis. This platform simplifies the exploration of job opportunities and the licensing process for non-Omanis through a single application managed by the same staff member. By focusing on employer needs rather than future hiring commitments, it aims to facilitate recruitment.
The system improves the matching process by specifying the required skills and qualifications for each position, moving beyond the previous licensing criteria of occupation, number of positions, and gender. It also allows for the creation of job opportunities linked to the end of employment relationships for Omanis by monitoring non-Omanis’ work permits associated with the same application. Additionally, it connects job opportunities to specific projects, providing insights into project duration, anticipated employment periods, and the potential for returning hired individuals to the job market as job seekers upon project completion.
“Masar” initiative to support professional qualifications
The “Masar” initiative, launched by the Ministry of Labour, aims to enhance training quality by establishing standards and leveraging local and international best practices. It enables government employees to obtain accredited professional qualifications across various fields, improving their efficiency and productivity.
The initiative includes reimbursing employees for the costs associated with these qualifications, thus fostering skill development relevant to their roles. Recognising the significance of professional qualifications in today’s job market, the Ministry emphasises their role in enhancing employment opportunities and meeting labour market demands. Oman views these qualifications as essential to the strategic directions of Oman Vision 2040 for sustainable development and skill enhancement across sectors.
Digital transformation
The Ministry of Labour is a leader in digital transformation, having achieved significant milestones in electronic service delivery through its online portal and mobile applications. As of 2024, 76% of its services have been digitised, benefiting individuals, employers, and the public sector, with integration across 39 government entities. To further enhance user experience, the ministry is implementing a five-year development plan initiated in 2021, focusing on facilitating efficient services. Artificial intelligence is being considered to streamline transactions, with plans for integration into certain services.
“Ma’ak” mobile application
The ministry has also launched the “Ma’ak” mobile application on Android and iOS, offering various services for employers and job seekers. Features include job applications, work contract registration, modification, and management of labour-related obligations. The app aligns with Oman Vision 2040, connecting job seekers with opportunities and allowing them to manage their profiles and engage effectively with potential
employers.
National system for institutional innovation and change management
This initiative seeks to bolster administrative efficiency by drawing on successful management practices and turning theoretical research findings into practical applications. Objectives include achieving harmony and integration within administrative operations, modernising management approaches, and designing an administrative work map that identifies strengths and areas for improvement across all civil government units. The system also aims to establish effective knowledge-sharing mechanisms and adapt private sector innovations to enhance public sector performance.
Smart Management Project
The Ministry of Labour, represented by the Directorate General for Development and Quality Assurance, has embarked on the Smart Management Project. This five-year initiative explores the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies to improve administrative operations and work environments within the Ministry and the broader state apparatus. The project is structured around phases involving design, implementation, research, and training. Its key goals include adapting to rapid technological changes in the labour market, improving operational efficiency and service delivery, developing relevant policies and regulations, and partnering with private and academic institutions to foster an innovation-friendly ecosystem.
Individual performance measurement system (Ejada)
Aiming for a qualitative shift in public sector performance, the Ejada System for Individual and Institutional Performance Measurement offers tools and standards that promote a culture of excellence in job performance. It focuses on performance governance, motivating additional employee efforts, identifying and improving underperformance, and linking productivity with rewards. The system is guided by values such as flexibility, transparency, objectivity, sustainability, innovation, and fairness.
Key objectives of the Ejada System for individual performance include aligning employee goals with annual plans in accordance with Oman Vision 2040, fostering a thorough understanding of operational goals, and enhancing communication among employees. This system ensures clear, methodical performance evaluations using defined criteria and indicators.
Ejada (Institutional Excellence System)
The Institutional Excellence System is designed to improve the performance of government units by providing the necessary tools for development, establishing standard benchmarks for progress, and promoting a culture of excellence. It encourages innovation and recognises exemplary performance, thus inspiring other units to adopt successful practices. This system reflects Oman’s vision of positioning itself among leading global nations and represents a forward-thinking approach to administrative management. It functions as an effective monitoring and assessment tool, aligned with the performance measurement standards set by the state’s apparatus oversight units, ensuring ongoing progress towards Oman Vision 2040.
Supporting Quality Management Systems (ISO 9001:2015)
The Ministry of Labour has provided technical support to various government units to implement the ISO 9001:2015 quality management system. This support is part of broader efforts to assist government units in establishing quality systems and implementing programmes that enhance performance. The ISO framework aims to measure plan execution, ensure timely service delivery, govern procedures, manage risks, and gauge stakeholder satisfaction, which collectively contribute to improved service quality and performance efficiency.
Beneficiary Experience Initiative
As part of efforts to enhance service quality, the Ministry launched the Beneficiary Experience Initiative. Spearheaded by the Ejada Department, this initiative employs tools such as personal experience, beneficiary surveys, interviews, and focus groups to analyse service processes and identify areas for improvement. The primary aim is to evaluate and refine services, ensuring they meet beneficiary expectations and increase satisfaction levels. This initiative plays a vital role in diagnosing current service procedures, suggesting enhancements, and governing the quality of service across government units.
National Framework for Occupational Competences
The Ministry has introduced the National Framework for Occupational Competences, aimed at developing human capital within the government sector and equipping it with future-ready skills that align with Oman Vision 2040’s strategic priorities. This framework supports institutions in attracting, selecting, training, and assessing employees based on defined competencies and tangible achievements. It also links with the strategic objective of the 10th Five-Year Plan, which is to strengthen human resource capabilities in the public sector. The framework outlines 13 key competencies, classified into leadership, core, and supportive categories, and includes detailed indicators for supervisory and executive positions.
