OSTC Occupational Standards Testing and Certification Train the Trainer Knowledge Management Cooperation with Industry

Occupational Standards and Testing Center Background The Sultanate of Oman in "Vision 2020" has defined the scenario for advancing the country's human resource development on to the level of effective training and labour market policies in line with the actual needs of the economy. This requires the development of state-of-the-art occupational standards and effective monitoring instruments for the intake of foreign workers. Objectives giz-IS has been contracted by the Ministry of Manpower to establish within a period of 5 years (2005 - 2010) a national Center for the development of Occupational Standards and Testing (OSTC). This Center is expected to provide substantial support for improving the quality and efficiency of training and the capability of monitoring the intake of foreign workers on skilled levels. The definition of occupational standards is expected to serve as a platform for the development of effective vocational training curricula as well as for the design of testing packages which will secure reliable skills testing for foreign workers and for nationals seeking certification for their qualifications. Ministry of Manpower Sultanate of Oman Deliverables The scope of work of the OSTC encompasses the following four areas: The development of new occupational standards for about sixty training occupations by means of the state-of-the-art tool Work-Process-Analysis in close cooperation with the industries concerned. This will entail the definition of occupational profiles and core competencies. On the basis of those core competencies skill testing packages will be developed and provided for the respective occupation. In order to monitor the actual qualification levels of incoming foreign workers, they are expected to be subject to skill testing. The staff of the Center has to be trained in all procedures encompassing the complete scope of work. Training also has to be provided to junior-professionals who do not yet have the qualification to work with the products of the Center. A System for monitoring and evaluation and for R&D will be established at the OSTC. Training seminar for employees of the Ministry of Manpower to become Facilitors for Work-Process-Analysis Figure 1 - Organizational Chart (click to enlarge) Contact Ministry of Manpower Standards and Testing Center (OSTC) and GiZ Oman P.O. Box 204 Postal Code 115 Sultanate of Oman Tel: (+968) 24791330 Fax: (+968) 24791245 e-mail: antonius.jax@giz.de