OQ
Onboards 130 Graduates as Part of 2026 Batch

Muscat,
4 Feb 2026 (ONA) — OQ Group welcomed 130 graduates into its 2026 Graduate
Development Programme intake during the official onboarding ceremony held today.

The
event was held under the auspices of Said Abdullah Al Balushi, Undersecretary
of the Ministry of Labour for Human Resources Development at Oman Institute for
Energy.

The
intake represents a tangible outcome of the strategic agreement signed between
OQ and the Ministry of Labour in October 2025, reflecting a strong public–private
partnership approach to sustainable employment and national capacity building.

The
partnership aims to provide 600 job opportunities for graduates and job seekers
in fields aligned with OQ’s business needs and future growth plans. It translates
national workforce priorities into structured, employment-linked talent
pathways, reinforcing a shared commitment to building a sustainable workforce
pipeline that links education, employability and long-term career progression.

The
Graduate Development Programme is one of OQ’s flagship national talent
initiatives and a core component of its long-term workforce strategy. Designed
as a fully integrated two-year pathway, the programme combines structured
learning, on-the-job training, leadership engagement, dialogue sessions and hands-on
field experience.

Through
a dynamic professional environment, the programme enables graduates to
translate academic knowledge into practical impact, gain cross-asset exposure
and build a comprehensive understanding of OQ’s operations.

As
a strategic pillar of OQ’s investment in people, it develops leadership and
professional capabilities across engineering, operational and corporate
functions while reinforcing the Group’s national role in building Omani talent
and strengthening human capital readiness for the future of the energy sector.

Said
Abdullah Al Balushi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Labour for Human
Resources Development, said: “The Ministry of Labour places strong emphasis on qualification
and training to enable Omani youth to meet the needs of the labour market and
its rapidly evolving skills requirements, through its various plans and
programmes, and in cooperation with government entities and companies.”

He
added “the Ministry appreciates the efforts made by OQ Group and its companies
in developing national capabilities among university and diploma holders, and
in absorbing job seekers across its sectors and companies through structured
plans and methodologies that contribute to strengthening the skills of Omani
youth. These initiatives include the OQ Graduate Development Programme, which
will accommodate 600 graduates.”

Eng.
Ali Mohamed Al Lawati, Chief People & Technology Officer at OQ, said: “The
Graduate Development Programme serves as a strategic platform through which OQ
advances national capability at scale. Developing Omani professionals to global
standards is integral to the long-term competitiveness of our energy sector and
to the resilience of the national economy. In partnership with the Ministry of
Labour, the programme aligns national workforce priorities with evolving
industry requirements, ensuring participants gain the operational exposure and
professional maturity demanded by a rapidly transforming global energy
landscape. Through this approach, we continue to strengthen the nation’s human
capital foundation and support the sustained advancement of Oman’s energy
ecosystem.”

OQ’s
broader efforts in training and national talent development have resulted in the
training of 3,771 individuals between 2021 and mid-2025. In addition, 1,817 graduates have been employed through
employment-linked training programmes, in collaboration with the Ministry of
Labour, across engineering, technical and commercial fields since 2011.

OQ’s
Omanisation rate stands at 87%, with the Group requiring its contractors to
comply with the Ministry of Labour-approved Omanisation targets as part of its
tendering and procurement frameworks, reinforcing job localisation and creating
sustainable employment opportunities for Omani youth.

The
2026 intake builds on OQ’s vision to advance national development priorities
and strengthen youth participation in the national economy. By preparing a
capable new generation of professionals, the programme contributes to the
long-term sustainability and growth of the energy sector and the creation of
enduring value for Oman.

—Ends/AG