The changing world of work

The Omani workplace is undergoing huge changes, and we are all being propelled into a future shaped by major scientific and technological advances.According to Taleb Saif Al Makhmari, Ithraa'sAssistant Director General for Marketing & Media and organizer of the Oman at Work sessions,those changes have already impactedmany businesses in Oman.

Today, Omani companiesare more diverse, more sophisticated, more female and younger than ever before. They are moving from vertically integrated organizations to more specialized ones that outsource non-core functions and to more decentralized forms of internal organization.

Monday's panel suggested that we can expect a shift away from more permanent, lifetime jobs toward less permanent, even non-standard employment relationships and work arrangements.

"It's changes in how, where and whenpeople work that are shaping economies. Indeed, we're living in a world few could have imagined even 10 years ago - a world that's powered by technology, fuelled by information and driven by knowledge," saidTaleb Al Makhmari.

Partnering with GUTech, Bank Muscat , Al Wisal, Merge104.8FM, The Times of Oman and Al Shabiba, Ithraa'sOman at Work is a four-part, free-of-charge seminar series designed to help Oman's public and private sector better understand the challenges and opportunities of the future work environment and the fundamental impact this will have on how Oman nurtures a talented workforce, attracts inward investment, boosts non-oil exports and remains economically attractive in today's highly competitive world.

It was apparent from Monday's panel led byShatha Al Maskiry, Protiviti Oman; Luma Al Saleh, TRACCS; Shabib Al Mamari, Injaz Oman; Scott Armstrong, Times of Oman; Farah Al Hinai, Bank Muscat and Khalid bin al Safi al Huraibi, Silatechthat the old rules of work no longer apply.In the years to come, the changes being wrought by the Digital Age will reshape not just our concept of the workplace and a career, but also the reality of how we actually earn a living. In the future, people will have shorter careers and more of them.

"Issues around talent acquisition and retention are firing up in this disruptive digital age and the skills required for future middle and high-skilled jobs are rapidly evolving. We need to discuss how we'll proactively bridge these gaps to make sure Omani workers are well placed to secure sustainable jobs that will enable them to grow.

Human capital investment is also peaking but in unpredictable times; it's not just about short-term returns but more about long-term impact. Collaboration is key and we have to consider how we'll prepare Omanis to be self-motivated and qualified to retrain even if they move on to second or third careers. This is just scratching the surface of the work challenges we face. We need to get started on this journey but it's the how and who thathas to be addressedfirst if we're to get it on the right track," remarked Shatha Al Maskiry.

The panel also focused on self-employment and recognized that although there are more education pathways and options available today than ever before, the school curriculum, continues tobe geared towards higher education, and can neglect to cater forthose who want to start their own business or study for an apprenticeship. Tweaking the education focus, argued the panel, has the potential to have a significant impact on the country's skillset.

"A healthy and productive society needs a mixture of skills, talent and abilities. If young people can pursue an education and career path that meets their needs, interests and ambitions then we can build a society of positive, confident and successful individuals," suggested Shabib Al Mamari.

Interest in self-employment, it was pointed out, particularly among Millennialsislinked to the fact that youth around the world are undergoing a transformation in the culture of how and where they want to live and work,much ofwhichis being driven by advances in technology.

TRACCS Director, Luma Al Saleh pointed out that: TRACCS Group Client Servicing Director, Luma Al Saleh pointed out that: "Survey after survey shows us that what Millennials most want from a job is flexibility. They are looking for a healthy work-life balance and an employer that shares those values. We have to face the fact that Millennials have different characteristics, attitudes and workplace expectations to older generations. Local private sector leaders must adapt to this change in the working environment or risk the sustainability of their business."

The good news is technology is allowing Omani workers to take the office everywhere. That is the bad news, too. With e-mail, PCs and mobile phones work is no longer confined to one setting, it is pervasive. The virtual office never closes, opening the potential for abuse if employers require homework above and beyond the normal working hours. "We need to make sure that workers use technology - not the other way around," warned Shatha Al Maskiry.