The Occupational Standards Centre (OSC) under the Ministry of Manpower has issued a license for Oman Society for Petroleum Services (OPAL) to establish first of its kind Sector Skills Unit (SSU) for the Oil and Gas Sector in Oman. The Sector Skills Unit (SSU) is an employer-led organization that seeks to build a skills system that is driven by employer demand and It plays a central role in developing a demand-driven skill development system and provides a platform "for the industry” to capture the industry's skill demands. This will support OPAL’s efforts to bring standardization and industry co-operation in skill development for the sector.

Key Functions of Sector Skills Units;

• Identify the skills development needs of the sector.
• Develop the National Occupational Standards (NOS) Packs.
• Develop short-term, long term and apprenticeship programs.
• Develop frameworks of Qualification and assessments.
• Develop and implement skill certification schemes.
• Develop frameworks of quality assurance for vocational programme assessments in association with the regulatory body (OSC).
• Endorse all short-term, long term and apprenticeship programs for the sector developed by training providers prior to official submission for program licensing to the respective authorities.
• Promote academies of excellence for the sector.

Sector Skill Units are the only entities authorized to develop NOS Packs and related products (including the skills certification) in the Sultanate of Oman.