Attesting to its robust staff development, Oman LNG rejoiced recently the graduation of seventy-three (73) staff who completed successfully various development programmes such as academic studies from identified universities, and accredited professional institutions and training centres. Such move comes to bolster Oman LNG's relentless efforts in nurturing and developing local talent.

The graduation ceremony, held at Oman LNG's plant in Sur, follows the company's deliberate planning and execution of its development schemes for staff. It is also the main catalyst in urging its staff to achieve professional qualifications that drive expertise on the job, which has resulted in a growing number of staff who are undertaking professional qualifications in different disciplines at various accredited institutes around the globe.

Since coming on stream nearly two decades ago, Oman LNG has grown to become a role model for other enterprises in the Sultanate to emulate. The company has earned a stellar reputation for itself as a nurturing ground for local talent in the oil and gas industry, and as the largest investor in corporate social responsibility initiatives through its Development Foundation.

Aspects of that development plan as executed in the past decades of its operations has entailed full academic scholarships for staff to further their education, local and international cross-posting of staff to other organisations and LNG companies around the world and targeted training to broaden skills and grow the competencies of its employees. In 2018, Oman LNG won the "Best Graduate Recruitment Programme" from Future Workplace Awards.

Like in other areas of its business, the company's success at staff development is the direct outcome of careful, deliberate planning and execution.

"Our staff have been Oman LNG's most prized asset in the business. I take this opportunity to thank all colleagues for their dedication and commitment on pursuing their development schemes. Oman LNG started with a clear vision in mind for Omanisation, where recruitment and training of Omani nationals is ranked as a critical success factor. Thus, Oman LNG is committed to an established long-term employee development plan that encompasses tailor-made schemes and programmes" said Harib Al Kitani, Oman LNG's Chief Executive Officer.

The graduation ceremony held under the patronage of Harib Al Kaitani, Oman LNG's Chief Executive Officer in the presence of representatives from universities and training centres where graduated staff attended to.

Outside its operations, Oman LNG, through its Development Foundation, is also contributing to Human Resource Development in the Sultanate through strategic partnerships with several entities from both public and private sectors, and recognised professional bodies such as the Oman Society for Petroleum Services (OPAL) by funding training-for-employment programmes that prepare Omanis for careers in specialised fields. Upon graduation, these newly-qualified graduates are then fed into ready-made jobs available in the labour market.

This particular programme has been effective in assisting many organisations in Oman to increase their own Omanisation levels and support in meeting their organisation's capacity production.