The My Profession training program, sponsored by BP and in coordination with the Ministry of Social Development and the Public Authority for Crafts Industries, has recently concluded benefiting 220 trainees. The trainees underwent a 2-months training program that focused on helping them acquire new skills related to the development of traditional crafts work.
The program was conducted in 10 different Wilayats across Oman and included activities like manual Kumah Embroidery in Willayat Adm, palm fiber products in Willayats of Liwa, Qurayyat and Khasab, wool weaving in the Willayats of Al Buraimi, Muhoot and Ibra , paper packaging in Willayat Maserah, Textile (Klim) in Willayat Dhank and Pottery in Willayat Dhalkot. The result was noticeably significant with a total 220 beneficiaries with 22 participants in each Willayat.
The Omani Woman Associations played a pivotal role in this project by providing the proper venues and qualified trainers. This has contributed effectively in creating a suitable environment to interact with the trainees and elevate the overall outcome. Further, the women association’s venues was used as a marketing channel to showcase and sell the handicrafts made.
Mr. Abdul Wahhab Al Manthari, Director General of Crafts Care at the Public Authority for Crafts Industries explained the goals of the program he said “the program aimed at training a number of individuals to gain knowledge and skills of designing and improving traditional crafts. we believe that with the skills they have learned, they would be able to enter the market with their own projects. This will bring back social benefits to themselves and their families.”
Mr. Khalfan Harib Al Jabri, Director General of Planning and Studies at the Ministry of Social Development, mentioned that such programs will contribute in developing and increasing the productivity levels of those ladies and will contribute in reducing the number of job seekers in the local community.
Moreover, Khalid Al Kindi, Deputy General Manager and ICV Manager added “BP is proud to support this program for individuals with special needs. Through the program, these individuals will learn entrepreneurial skills which will help drive the Omani economy. We are committed to continuing to support programs that enhance the employability of all Omanis.
The implementation of this project was supervised by Sharakah, commenting on this Ms. Fatma Al Kindi, Project Specialist at Sharakah said: “Working together with the trainees to enhance their capabilities enriches our community and leads to a positive social development, building confidence and social welfare for all as they are the core entity of the society”.
The trainees expressed their positive impressions about the quality of the program, thanking BP and all the supporting organizations for the opportunity given to enroll in the program. Ms. Aisha Al Dhawi, a wool weaving trainer quoted: “Contributing to enhance such skills is a continuous and effective process for the trainee and the trainer both, allowing more room for improvements when it comes to creative designs.”
In addition, Ms. Rahma Al Wahebi, a trainee in Palm Fiber Product in Willayat Qurayyat said that the program is an opportunity to unleash the creativity and create valuable outcomes with a modern twist from Palm Fiber Products. Also, she is looking forward to get her crafts industries membership card.
BP aims through the efforts invested in such programs to widen the scope of benefit with the added-value activities and improve the skill levels of locals.