OMRAN Group launch ‘Midhyaf’ programme
1 July 2021
With the aim to provide a platform and prepare highly trained and skilled Omanis in the tourism and hospitality sector, Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN Group), the executive arm of the Sultanate for tourism development, in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour launched today its new training for employment programme ‘Midhyaf’, that will act as the steppingstone for future Omani tourism and hospitality talent development. ‘The program is the result of the capability building agreement signed between both parties to establish this national training for employment project.
The new programme will provide training to 148 Omani job seekers from high schools as well as Diploma and Bachelor’s degree holders, to prepare them to join the labour market upon completion of the programme’s requirements. The Midhyaf programme consists of seven capacity-building vocational and professional courses, namely Culinary, Food & Beverage, Front of House Operations, Hotel Operations Management, Accounting and Procurement, Sales and Marketing, and Housekeeping. The training will take place at Oman Tourism College (OTC), the training provider of the Midhyaf programme, followed by on-the-job training in several hospitality assets under OMRAN Group. Upon graduation, the participants will be directly employed at the respective OMRAN Hospitality Assets, including JW Marriot Muscat, W Muscat, Crowne Plaza Resort Salalah, Crowne Plaza Muscat OCEC, Crowne Plaza Duqm, Alila Jabal Akhdar, InterContinental Muscat and Barceló Mussanah Resort.
The methodology of the training program that will be implemented by OTC is based on an integrated training approach that aims to further hone the skills of the participants in three main areas: fundamentals, core factor, and mindset. The program will cover professional training courses that will be facilitated by the OTC in cooperation with multiple globally renowned hospitality institutes and academies, to develop the local competencies according to the highest standards and support them to obtain up to 11 professional certificates, depending on the type of the training program.
On this occasion, Hashil Bin Obaid Al Mahrouqi, CEO of OMRAN Group, said: “Midhyaf will play a significant role in supporting the objectives of the National Tourism Strategy 2040 by creating a sustainable platform to support the employment in the tourism industry and encourage Omani youth to enrol in this dynamic sector, which is prominent as one of the rapidly growing sectors in the world. This program also reflects OMRAN’s in-country value efforts through the empowerment of national competencies to enable them to excel in this career path.”
“We deeply recognise the collaborative efforts of our partners in this programme, and we aim through this fruitful cooperation to create more meaningful jobs for Omanis. Moreover, we aim to increase job opportunities at our hotel portfolio.” Al Mahrouqi added.
Commenting on the launch of ‘Midhyaf’, Sharifa Bint Tahir Aidid, from the Ministry of Labour, commented: “We are delighted to be launching ‘Midhyaf’ programme. This step reflects the Ministry’s active participation towards to implementation of the objectives of Oman Vision 2040, in addition to carrying out its plan for this year, targeting 9,000 jobs across the key focus areas which include training for employment, on-the-job training and entrepreneurship, through continued cooperation with the various sectors.”
“Midhyaf programme fosters a new setup for training and developing a competent local workforce in the hospitality and tourism sectors and entice them to explore and prosper in a challenging yet rewarding working environment. We are confident that the participants will benefit from the high-quality professional courses and the practical training at Oman Tourism College and OMRAN hotels,” she added.
Qais Bin Zahir Al Hosni, Chairman of Oman Tourism College said, “As the training provider, our objective at Oman Tourism College is to train and develop the candidates as per the highest global standards, benefiting from our long experience in providing accredited vocational training programs in partnership with international training providers and awarding bodies as well with our affiliation with the Technological University Dublin, one of the famous academic institutions. The collaboration with renowned hotel facilities in the industry will also contribute to develop the participants’ capabilities and hone their skills to make them ready to be future hoteliers of Oman.”
OMRAN Group signed a Capability Building Agreement with the Ministry of Labour to establish a strategic two-year collaboration project that aims to attract young Omani hospitality enthusiasts. The collaboration has resulted in the creation of Midhyaf, forging a new and sustainable path of employment for national talents who will participate in shaping the future of Oman’s growing tourism sector.
The programme is open to all Omani job seekers from high school graduates, Diploma and Bachelor’s degree holders. For registration and details, kindly visit Midhyaf’s webpage through OMRAN Group’s website on: https://www.omran.om/midhyaf or follow OMRAN social media handles @OmranGroupOm.