47% Omani employers hiring and training freshers: Report

The report prepared on the results of Employer Survey 2025, conducted under the leadership of Dr. Rahma bint Ibrahim al Mahrouqiyah, Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, aimed to measure how well higher education outcomes align with Oman’s labour market needs. It gathered responses from 1,083 organisations in the region’s private sector that hired graduates from Omani higher education institutions in the past seven years. 

Dr. al Mahrouqiyah said the survey serves as an essential “compass” to guide academic programmes toward market needs and help young Omanis understand the qualifications and skills required, including opportunities in self-employment and entrepreneurship. 

The key findings of the survey show that: 

• 68% of employers have hired Omani graduates, reflecting rising confidence in national talent.
• 23% of the employers reported collaborating with higher education institutions on training, employment initiatives, and community services. 
• 47% of Omani employers hired graduates with no prior work experience, which is a sign of readiness to invest in training and on-the-job learning. 
• 38% of employers said they faced difficulties recruiting Omani graduates due to lack of practical experience, and
• 76% of employers expressed satisfaction with the performance of Omani graduates in private-sector roles 

According to Maitha bint Dawood al Lawati, Assistant Director at the Department of Statistics and Information, employer satisfaction remains high. Employers showed strong preference for talent in management, commerce, engineering and information technology, particularly among bachelor’s degree holders. 

Abdullah bin Ali al Shibli, Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences, said the data reinforces the growing importance of soft skills, from teamwork and communication to digital proficiency, in a fast-evolving labour market. 

The Ministry noted that the survey results will help refine academic offerings, monitor workforce performance, and shape more effective employment policies.