Oman to Replace 110 Expatriate Vocational Trainers with Citizens by 2027

The Oman Ministry of Labour has officially confirmed a strategy to replace 110 expatriate trainers in the nation's vocational colleges with Omani nationals.

• Plan to replace 110 expatriate trainers with Omani nationals in vocational colleges by the 2027-28 academic year.
• Training-linked Omanisation process ensuring incoming Omani staff acquire necessary specialized skills before starting their roles.
• Vacancies to be advertised in 2026 with selection and appointment concluding in 2027, while expatriate trainers continue duties during the 2026-27 academic cycle.
• Broader hiring statistics for the first half of 2026 showing 2,538 government jobs advertised across 42 entities.

Transition Timeline and Process

According to Abdullah Sultan Al Sunaidi, Director of the Recruitment and Omanisation Department in the Government Sector, the initiative is designed as a training-linked Omanisation process, ensuring that incoming Omani staff acquire the necessary specialized skills before assuming their roles. The transition timeline is set for completion by the start of the 2027/2028 academic year. Vacancies for the 110 positions will be advertised during 2026, with the selection and appointment process concluding in 2027. Expatriate trainers will continue their duties throughout the 2026-27 academic cycle as part of the handover process.

Affected Trades and Government Hiring Stats

While specific details regarding which colleges—such as those in Seeb, Saham, Sur, Salalah, Ibri, or Al Buraimi—will be affected first remain undisclosed, the shift impacts a range of trades including industrial, commercial, hospitality, computer, and agricultural fields. The Ministry of Labour, which assumed control of vocational colleges following Royal Decree 61/2024, also reported broader hiring statistics for the first half of 2026. Out of 2,538 government jobs advertised across 42 entities during that period, 999 were designated for Omanisation, comprising 877 training-linked positions and 122 direct replacements. Additionally, 1,500 new vacancies and 39 contract posts were listed, with degree-holders securing 1,927 of these roles.