Training for Employment (TFE)
TFE programs are specialized schemes aimed at promoting and supporting Omanization by addressing the basic skills needed by school leavers and graduates to secure suitable employment opportunities with growth potential in the private sector. Since its inception, OPAL has facilitated employment for over 15,000 Omanis and continues to support Omanization with government backing.
Training for Development (TFD)
TFD programs are dedicated to improving human resources professionalism. OPAL’s TFD programs contribute to raising the professionalism standards across all functions and skills in the energy industry. TFD includes workshops and seminars on diverse, relevant topics, aiming to enhance capabilities.
The Energy and Minerals Sector Skill Unit (EMSSU)
The General Directorate of Training under the Ministry of Labour has granted OPAL the license to host the first Sector Skills Unit (SSU) dedicated to the Energy and Minerals Sector in Oman. The SSU is an employer-led organization that aims to build a skills system driven by industry demand, providing a platform "for the industry, by the industry" to capture skills needs and develop occupational standards. The EMSSU supports OPAL's mission to standardize and foster industry collaboration in skills development. It works with sector Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to develop National Occupational Standards and implement Skills Certification Assessments to ensure the sector's human capital development requirements are met while addressing skills gaps.
Vocational Education Program Initiative
This initiative is a collaboration between the Ministry of Education (MOE) and OPAL to enhance career-focused learning. It equips students with practical skills and resources to prepare them for future careers. OPAL has played a pivotal role in aligning the curriculum with industry needs and supports students by providing laptops to ensure they have essential tools for their education.
OPAL Local Content Certificate
OPAL is the operating body responsible for issuing the Local Content Certification on behalf of the government. The certification verifies that companies operating in the sector contribute to the development of local capabilities, workforce, and supply chains in Oman.
The certification assesses the extent to which companies support local content by employing Omani nationals, developing local suppliers, investing in training and skills development, and promoting sustainable economic participation within the sector. It also provides an opportunity to recognize and incentivize compliant companies, particularly during the tendering and procurement processes.
Labour Market Intelligence Research
This research project focuses on the Omani labour market, with an emphasis on understanding and analyzing both qualitative and quantitative aspects of labour market trends and dynamics within the Energy and Minerals sector of the Sultanate of Oman. The trends include workforce distribution, historical trends, and future demands, while the labour market dynamics cover recruitment, hard-to-fill roles, skills shortages, staff retention, apprentices and graduates, as well as training and development.
Advisory & Consultancy Services
OPAL provides complimentary consultancy services to its members on its Human Capital Management, Human Capital Development, Labour Law, Omanization, HSE Standards and other Energy sector related business issues.
OPAL Best Practices Awards
The objective of OPAL’s Best Practice Award (BPA) is to bring the best performing members to limelight and disseminate their achievements across the industry. The event also provides the opportunity to other members to emulate their counterparts and to encourage them to compete in such proactive developments. The award covers seven different aspects such as Omanization, Health & Safety, Environment, Energy Transition, Operational Excellence, Research & Development (R&D) and Omani Products and Services.
OPAL’s Engagement Forums
OPAL organizes interactive forums between its members to address common issues in efforts to provide solutions to create an ideal business environment. In addition, engagement forums with international participation are organized where companies from abroad will be invited to provide the latest technology and open business opportunities to our members with their counterparts from different countries of the world.
OPAL HSE Standards
OPAL HSE Standards are developed to enhance health, safety, and environmental performance across the Energy and Minerals sector. They establish clear expectations for operators and contractors, supporting a consistent and high level of safety across the industry. These standards are developed by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) from across the sector, ensuring they are practical, relevant, and aligned with industry best practices. As a result, they are widely adopted within the industry and can also be applied in other sectors where relevant.
Current OPAL HSE Standards include the Road Safety Standard, Camp Standard, Heat Stress Standard, Incident Sharing and Statistics Standard, DROPS Management Standard, Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Health Standard, Unified HSE Passport Standard, Fitness-to-Work Standard, Illegal Drugs and Alcohol Standard, Lifting Operations Management Standard, Process Safety Management Guideline, and the Road Safety
Strategy (2023–2030). OPAL continues to work closely with industry stakeholders to identify emerging needs and develop new standards, ensuring continuous improvement in HSE performance across the sector.
OPAL STAR (Standards for Training, Approval and Recognition)
Introduced in 2017, OPAL STAR was established to drive standardization and ensure quality among training providers across various sectors. By creating a centralized framework, OPAL STAR promotes uniformity, efficiency, and excellence in training services. The OPAL STAR standard fosters a level playing field for training providers, demonstrating their commitment to professionalism, adherence to industry standards, and continuous improvement. Training providers are evaluated and categorized into STAR gradings—Gold, Silver, and Bronze—which incentivize ongoing development and reward excellence, progressively raising the bar for quality. This framework has become a trusted credential, recognized across industries and valued by operators and contractors as a hallmark of credibility and superior training standards.
OPAL In-Vehicle Monitoring System (IVMS) Approval
This is a verification and approval scheme designed to provide the Energy and Minerals industry with assurance that IVMS service providers comply with the OPAL Road Safety Standard. The scheme involves a thorough evaluation of IVMS devices, as well as an assessment of the quality of service and the capabilities of providers to operate under Oman’s diverse conditions.
IVMS Foundation & Orientation Course
The objective of this course is to provide selected staff with a broad-level orientation on IVMS technology, application, and operations. This course is designed to create the required awareness and education on the IVMS solution concepts for a better understanding of the industry and technology.
Compliance Verification Certification (CVC)
The CVC is a framework that verifies the compliance of applicant members against five key pillars based on OPAL standards: HSE Management System, HRD Management System,
Legal Requirements, Remuneration, and Omanization. The certification process assesses compliance in a transparent manner and aims to create a level playing field by applying a uniform code across the industry. OPAL provides member companies with annual audits (at no cost) to ensure compliance with minimum industry requirements. While compliance was once mandatory under the MEM’s mandate for contractors, it is now entirely voluntary for companies wishing to demonstrate adherence to these minimum standards.
OPAL Driver Fatigue Management System (DFMS) Approval
This is a verification and approval scheme designed to provide the Energy and Minerals industry with assurance that DFMS service providers comply with the OPAL Road Safety Standard. The scheme involves a thorough evaluation of DFMS devices, as well as an assessment of the quality of service and the capabilities of providers to operate under Oman’s diverse conditions.
OPAL Defensive Driving Permit
The OPAL Defensive Driving Permit was introduced to standardize the training and assessment requirements for drivers before they are authorized to operate in Energy & Minerals Sector areas. It ensures high-quality driver training and eliminates unnecessary costs for companies caused by conducting multiple training sessions to meet varying standards and requirements across different operating companies.
OPAL Roadworthiness Assurance Standard Inspection Center (RASIC) Approval
The Roadworthiness Assurance Standard (RAS) is a framework established by the Energy and Minerals sector to ensure the safety and roadworthiness of all vehicles used in the industry. The standard is implemented through a structured process, with technical vehicle inspections conducted at approved RAS Inspection Centres.
OPAL Unified HSE Passport
The OPAL Unified HSE Passport is a recognized certification that enables employees to work within the energy and minerals sector. The passport covers UHSEP Level 1 and UHSEP Level 2 courses and aims to introduce candidates to essential HSE concepts while establishing minimum competency requirements for all employees before they are
permitted to work for energy and minerals companies. Completion of this training is mandatory to gain access to oil and gas concession areas. The OPAL Unified HSE Passport ensures the standardization and quality of HSE training, eliminating unnecessary costs incurred by companies from conducting multiple training sessions to meet different standards and requirements across various operating companies.
OPAL Road Safety Development Programs
To enhance the proficiency of workers and operators within the energy and minerals sector, OPAL has instituted a range of comprehensive training and development initiatives across various domains. These programs include:
· Defensive Driving Train-the-Trainer Program
· Defensive Driving Manager Training Program
· Safe Journey Management Training and Assessment Skills Program
· Safe Vehicle Recovery Authorized Person Program
· RAS Inspector Training for Development – Light Vehicle
· RAS Inspector Training for Development – Heavy Vehicle
· IVMS Foundation & Orientation Course
· Accreditation of the OPAL Programme for Drivers Dangerous Goods
· Accreditation of the RAS Inspector Development and Qualification Programme for theAmbulance Services Sector.
Lifting Equipment Inspection Approval
The Lifting Equipment Inspection Standard is a critical framework established by the Energy and Minerals sector to ensure the safety, reliability, and compliance of all lifting equipment used within the industry. The standard is implemented through a well-defined and structured process, including rigorous technical inspections carried out by OPAL-approved lifting equipment inspection bodies.
OPAL Camp Approval
The OPAL Camp Standards Assurance Framework establishes a comprehensive set of guidelines designed to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of individuals residing in camps within the Energy and Minerals sector. These standards are implemented through a structured process of evaluation and compliance verification conducted at approved camp
facilities. The objective is to promote consistent adherence to quality benchmarks across all camps, ensuring safe and hygienic living conditions for workers while meeting industry regulatory requirements.
Engagement Forums
OPAL organizes interactive forums among its members to address common challenges and work toward solutions that help create an ideal business environment. In addition, engagement forums with international participation are organized, where companies from abroad are invited to showcase the latest technologies and explore business opportunities with our members and their counterparts from around the world.
OPAL Award for Best Practices
The objective of OPAL’s Best Practices Award (BPA) is to recognize the best-performing members and showcase their achievements across the industry. The event also provides other members with the opportunity to learn from their counterparts and encourages them to compete in similar proactive initiatives. The award covers seven different categories: Omanization, Health & Safety, Environment and Net Zero, Energy Transition, Operational Excellence, Research & Development (R&D), and Omani Products and Services.
Advisory & Consultancy Services
OPAL provides complimentary consultancy services to its members on matters related to Human Capital Management, Human Capital Development, Labour Law, Omanization, Corporate Social Responsibility, HSE standards, and other business issues within the energy and minerals sector.
OPAL VAT Help Desk Services
OPAL members can seek VAT-related clarifications, resolve doubts, and have their VAT returns reviewed by experts before submission to the Tax Authority to ensure VAT compliance. This service helps businesses prevent penalties due to non-compliance with the VAT law.
Business Promotion and Marketing
OPAL members have access to OPAL’s community, events, and publications, enabling them to network with other members and key players in the Sultanate of Oman’s Energy and Minerals industry.