Engineering and technology skills in the Sultanate of Oman
The Sultanate of Oman has clear long-term ambitions, documented in Oman Vision 2040, that support an economic diversification away from oil dependence. Priorities include modernising the education system, building local capabilities and supporting global competitiveness.
We are interested in the opportunities and challenges arising from this change, so commissioned a survey by international market research and data analytics expert YouGov to gauge workforce issues faced by engineering and technology organisations in Oman.
The sample was drawn from trusted partners in Oman. Only those with management responsibility in an organisation employing engineers were allowed to take part. In total there were 244 respondents, with a spread across organisation size, work sector and time spent in their industry.
The results are not weighted so are not representative of the population. The report findings represent the views of survey respondents only. All fieldwork was carried out online between 20 December 2022 and 3 January 2023.
Some of the key findings are as follows:
- 97% of respondents have had difficulties recruiting in the last year
- 91% have had problems centred on applicants’ lack of skills, experience or qualifications in the previous 12 months
- 41% of organisations have found job applicants lack technical skills
- 37% say that lack of diversity in the workforce is an issue
- IT and communications is expected to be the most important industry in the next decade
- Universities offering STEM education should encourage more involvement from industry to support graduates in becoming more industry-ready
- Increasing credibility as a competent engineer can come from additional professional qualifications (43% say this) or an accredited apprenticeship programme (41% say this).
Based on the survey findings, we have made several recommendations that will support the development of the engineering sector in Oman and the realisation of Oman Vision 2040.
