Oman and the GCC oil and gas industry will expand at great pace over the next few years.

In addition, more and more projects in the process and petrochemical industry are coming up in the region.
The Omani government alone is investing $10 billion to enhance oil and gas production during the seventh five-year plan while up to $12 billion is earmarked for the process industries.
It is reported that an investment of $500 billion is required in the Middle East over the next five years to meet the ever-increasing world demand of energy.
A similar figure has been given for the downstream industries.
This rapid expansion in the upstream and downstream sectors is outstripping sources of skilled labour and the problem is expected to worsen by 2008.
It is reported that the industry would need more than 58,000 skilled personnel in Oman alone.
Some companies are working to enhance their manpower position in the oil, gas and related process industries.
However, this may not be enough. As a result of the increased demand, qualified operators and maintenance technicians are becoming rare and those with good experience are now being coveted by many industries. Human resources have therefore become one of the most critical elements in the success of any project.
IMCO (International Maritime College Oman) has been set up to alleviate some of this burden on forthcoming and existing projects.
“IMCO educates and trains process operators, maintenance technicians and engineers to fill the anticipated shortage that would result from the ever expanding oil, gas and related process industries in the region,” says Sander Wubbolts, marketing manager of IMCO.
IMCO is owned by the Government of Oman and STC Group, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
IMCO offers short courses, diplomas and degree programmes in Process Operation and Industrial Maintenance for the oil, gas and related process industries.
IMCO programmes are being continually developed to produce employees who can make a contribution to the business of the industries with little additional training.
The programmes cover both theoretical aspects and hands-on practical work as they are designed to match the needs of these industries.
As an integral part of IMCO, the Department of Process Operation and Industrial Maintenance continually identifies, develops and improves its programmes to deliver the skills and knowledge necessary for high-quality, hands-on technical education.
“The programmes prepare participants for employment as process operators or mechanical/electrical maintenance technicians/engineers in petroleum refining, chemical and petrochemical plants,” says Dr Abdelghani Benayoune, Head of Department of Process Operation and Industrial Maintenance, IMCO.
 “The core curriculum allows participants to acquire the technical knowledge, skills and abilities that are commonly needed in the process industry.
“Areas such as process equipment, installation, instrumentation, maintenance, communication and economics are all covered. Participants will gain knowledge of the typical hazards found in process plants, basic PPE and requirements of regulating bodies regarding HSSE issues,” says Dr Abdelghani Benayoune.
Dr Benayoune explains: “There is also an industrial training programme that gives participants the opportunity to gain valuable practical experience while they earn wages and college credits”.
This practical training is also a channel through which employers will have the opportunity to meet potential employees.
The department prepares potential employees at various levels by offering certificate, diploma and bachelor degree programmes. The department will be the leading proactive, innovative and industry-centred learning department dedicated to excel in:
1) Teaching text and context through multimedia (CBT, simulation);
2) Providing high-quality hands-on technical training;
3)  Short courses, continuous professional development to keep employees up-to-date; and
4)  Skill conversion for those who want to move to better jobs;
The department strives to meet the needs of industry by providing many short courses, which can be modelled on the specific needs of the companies.
Some of the courses offered are:
•  Basic Process Operation;
•  Tanker Terminal Operation;
•  Electrical, Field Instruments, Control and Documentation;
•  Hydraulic and Pneumatic Engineering;
•  Oil Products and Refinery Process;
•  Safety for Supervisors;
•  Industrial First Aid;
•  HSSE; and
•  TQM.
The department has a wide variety of equipment to enhance its programmes. Some of these include:
•  Pilot process plant;
•  Distillation Plant;
•  Process simulator;
•  Distillation Simulator; and
•  Mechanical and Electrical workshop.
The process control lab gives participants the opportunity for a hands-on education in the various aspects of process technology.
They experience the role of the process technician through lab exercises in instrumentation, piping and instrument diagrams, start-up and shutdown procedures, safety, and troubleshooting.
In addition, the mechanical and electrical workshop offers course participants the opportunity to experience through hands-on exercises how to adjust, maintain, repair, overhaul, service and troubleshoot various types of equipment used in the service, supply and process industries.
IMCO strives to build close relationships with industries in Oman and the GCC region. It is always looking closely at the job market to determine the future needs for process industries and how to address those needs in the most practical manner.
To achieve this objective, the department is setting up an Industrial Advisory Board (IAB), which will provide an independent and clients’ view of the programmes.
The members of the IAB also provide critical reviews of the academic activities of the department and provide recommendations on all aspects related to the programmes to further improve the quality of the teaching.
The IAB members also help in placing students undergoing their practical training. IAB also provide a network through which graduates/students recruiting and internships are enhanced.
IMCO also offers short course, diploma and degree programmes in Nautical Studies (Deck Officer), Marine Engineering and Port, Shipping and Transport Management.
IMCO is a steppingstone to a rewarding career.