Oman Energy Association has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia’s Takamol Holding in Muscat aimed at strengthening professional competencies and upgrading workforce qualifications across the energy sector.The accord, announced at a formal ceremony in the Omani capital, brings together Oman Energy Association, widely known as OPAL, and Takamol Holding, a company owned by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development. The partnership is designed to align training standards, certification frameworks and labour market programmes between the two Gulf states at a time when both are accelerating economic diversification and localisation policies.
OPAL represents the oil, gas and energy services industry in Oman and has played a central role in setting occupational standards and competency frameworks for technicians and engineers. Takamol Holding, based in Riyadh, oversees several national initiatives in Saudi Arabia including professional accreditation systems, skills development platforms and labour market services. Its portfolio has included programmes to raise workforce participation and improve the quality of vocational training in line with Vision 2030.
Under the agreement, the two organisations are expected to collaborate on developing competency standards, exchanging expertise in professional certification, and designing joint training initiatives tailored to industry demand. Officials said the arrangement would facilitate knowledge transfer in areas such as occupational licensing, skills assessment and digital platforms for managing qualifications.
Oman’s energy sector remains a cornerstone of the sultanate’s economy, though authorities have been pushing reforms to broaden the industrial base and expand renewable energy capacity. Output from oil and gas continues to generate a substantial share of government revenue, while new projects in hydrogen and clean energy are under development as part of Oman Vision 2040. Strengthening local talent pipelines has been identified as a priority to ensure that emerging industries are supported by qualified nationals and a competitive private sector.
Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, has invested heavily in labour market reforms under Vision 2030, seeking to increase private-sector employment, raise female workforce participation and standardise professional credentials. Takamol Holding has been instrumental in operating platforms such as Qiwa and in managing national occupational standards frameworks. The company has also been involved in professional testing and accreditation services across multiple sectors.
Industry observers say cross-border cooperation on skills and qualifications is gaining traction within the Gulf Cooperation Council as member states pursue similar diversification agendas. Energy transition strategies, expansion of petrochemicals, growth in logistics and the development of renewable power have created demand for specialised technicians, safety experts and project managers. Harmonising certification systems can ease labour mobility and ensure that qualifications are recognised across jurisdictions.
Executives present at the signing emphasised that the agreement would focus on building sustainable capabilities rather than short-term training courses. According to statements made during the ceremony, the partnership aims to integrate international best practices with regional industry requirements. Officials described the move as part of a broader effort to enhance competitiveness and attract investment by demonstrating a skilled and certified workforce.
Data from regional industry reports indicate that the Middle East energy services market is expected to expand over the coming years, driven by upstream investments, refinery upgrades and renewable energy projects. In Oman, state-backed entities such as Petroleum Development Oman and OQ have advanced programmes to increase efficiency and local content participation. In Saudi Arabia, Saudi Aramco continues to invest in localisation initiatives under its In-Kingdom Total Value Add programme, placing emphasis on training and supplier development.
Human capital development has become a central metric for investors assessing long-term project viability. Multinational companies operating in the Gulf often require internationally recognised certifications for safety, engineering and project management. By collaborating with Takamol Holding, OPAL is seeking to benchmark Omani standards against broader regional and global frameworks, potentially increasing the portability of credentials earned in Oman.
The agreement also reflects closer economic ties between Muscat and Riyadh. Bilateral trade and investment have expanded, and both governments have encouraged private-sector partnerships to support shared development goals. Analysts note that cooperation in workforce development can complement joint ventures in energy, manufacturing and logistics, areas where both economies are seeking scale and competitiveness.
Officials involved in the initiative indicated that technical committees would be formed to map existing standards, identify gaps and propose new qualifications aligned with industry needs. Digitalisation of certification processes and the use of data analytics to monitor labour market trends are also expected to feature in the collaboration.
For Oman Energy Association, which has historically coordinated industry training schemes and safety standards, the partnership may broaden its regional footprint and reinforce its mandate to professionalise the sector. For Takamol Holding, the agreement extends its influence beyond Saudi Arabia and showcases its expertise in managing large-scale workforce platforms.
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