13 Dec TAHLYA 2019 to Deliver Vocational Training in Water Desalination and Related Technology
11th December, Muscat: MEDRC Water Research officially launched the third edition of their vocational training programme, TAHLYA, under BP Oman’s Social Investment Programme. Held under the patronage of H.E. Dr Muna bint Salim Al Jardania, Undersecretary for Technological Education and Vocational Training, Ministry of Manpower, in attendance were H.E. Ciarán Ó Cuinn, MEDRC’s Centre Director, H.E. Mohammed Al Mahruqi, Chairman Public Authority of Electricity and Water along with BP Oman’s President Yousuf Al Ojaili and many other senior executives from the public and private sector.
“TAHLYA is a unique training initiative, which will ensure that the water sector in Oman can be run by the people of Oman, for the people of Oman,” said Ciarán Ó Cuinn, MEDRC Centre Director. “We are very proud of our partnership with BP and what it has delivered in a few short years. We are delighted to be partnering with them for the third consecutive year to deliver this programme in 2019,” he added.
The event also witnessed the graduation of 73 TAHLYA 2018 trainees, including 25 females. The group comprised of 43 Supervisors and 30 Operators. TAHLYA supports its graduates in obtaining full time employment. To date, 91 per cent of last year’s graduates are employed in various desalination-related companies.
The new edition, which is set to commence in February 2019, will train 76 young Omani jobseekers in reverse osmosis desalination technologies and enable them to sub-specialise in operations, mechanics, laboratory and instrumentation. This in turn will provide them with more opportunities for employment after completing the programme. Trainees for the programme will be selected from registered job seekers at the Public Authority of Manpower. The training programme aligns with the Sultanate’s strategy of supporting national priorities by inspiring growth throughout the local workforce.
“BP Oman’s social investment programme focuses on serving and empowering local Omani capabilities in driving Oman towards a self-sufficient and progressive future,” said Shamsa Al Rawahi, BP Oman’s Social Investment Programme Manager. “Our programme continues to harness innovation through outstanding initiatives such as TAHLYA, which has effectively equipped young Omanis with the necessary skills to advance in the field of water desalination. BP Oman is eagerly looking forward to collaborating with MEDRC for another successful year,” she added.
To broaden the reach and impact of the initiative, MEDRC has also devised ‘TAHLYA for Kids’, an initiative aimed at raising students’ awareness on water desalination. It will teach children roles of desalination in providing fresh water to the region. The initiative will be run by TAHLYA trainees under the supervision of MEDRC at its headquarter and is set to host a 1000 school students.
Thus far, the TAHLYA programme has trained 133 young Omanis and is looking to raise that number to 211 by 2019 end. MEDRC Water Research operates a state of the art training facility at their headquarters in Al Hail, Muscat. This has enabled them to take up the role of a national and regional desalination and water reuse training hub where they supply all levels of water training and consultancy. They also are committed to ensure that trainees under this project have the right skill-set to join the labour market and the capacity to help the sector achieve its in-country value objectives.