The development of Human Capital in Logistics is one of the top focused objectives that the Governmental and Private stakeholders are giving the attention and support to achieve. The Ministry of Manpower represented in the Directorate General of Vocational Training is discussing with governmental and relevant private parties the feasibility to establish a dedicated logistics training center in Muscat. A meeting was held with the OGL Logistics Strategy team to discuss what sort of logistics skill-sets will be needed and the fundamental models to start this initiative.

To encourage and support the development of a professional Logistics association, the team visited Oman Society Petroleum Service (OPAL) to benchmark the requirements and roles that a professional association can play in the development of the Logistics sectors.

Discussion was held on the tools and methods used by OPAL to market the sector and attract young Omanis to work in Oil and Gas. Attending the meetings were representative of The Occupational Standards and Testing Centre from The Ministry of Manpower. Discussions covered the methods and structures that both organizations are following in building National Occupational Standards (NOS). OPAL and the OGL Logistics Strategy team agreed to collaborate and use each other’s data to frame the NOS for similar job functions between Logistics and Oil and Gas.

Currently the team is working on unifying the logistics methods employed for lifting operations.

As per the national logistics strategy, the development of the logistics sector in Oman is impacted by:

1. The lack of trained young Omanis with the Logistics industry skills and services.
2. The lack of Logistics training to fill the skills absence gap.
3. The absence of awareness of the importance of the Logistics and the valuable career future.
4. No creditable training for the Logistics industry.
5. The wrong insight that transport is an unworthy industry to select as a career which results in job positions being occupied by expatriates.

Six main important elements to develop Human Capital in the Logistics sector:

1. To ensure that Human Capital matches the forecasted and planned growth of Oman Logistics industry.
2. To ensure that employment legislation is supportive of the growth of the Oman Logistics industry and does not discourage or impede its development.
3. To ensure that the Oman economy has the necessary skill sets to sustain and grow a vibrant Logistics economy and that the training matches the requirements.
4. To support and develop international best practices by industry.
5. Research in the fields of Logistics Management, Logistics Technology, Transport and Systems.
6. To create and provide mechanisms to ensure ongoing and applicable academic and applied research.