WEF: 39% of Job Skills to Change by 2030 as Oman”s ”Duqm Now” Explores the Shift to Leadership
The World Economic Forum (WEF) has revealed that 39% of the skills required for current jobs will change by 2030. This indicator reflects the rapid transformations sweeping the global labor market and underscores the growing need for organizations to cultivate leaders who possess strong managerial and behavioral skills alongside their technical expertise.
A report discussed by the "Duqm Now" initiative in the Sultanate of Oman highlighted that promotions to managerial positions no longer rely solely on years of experience or technical competence. Instead, they are increasingly tied to an employee's ability to lead teams, make decisive choices, manage change, solve complex problems, and positively influence dynamic work environments.
Many organizations are currently facing challenges when transitioning employees from technical roles to leadership positions. Excelling in a specific technical field does not necessarily guarantee success in people management. Meanwhile, some employees find themselves as indispensable experts in their current roles, yet they are not considered natural candidates for leadership.
'Duqm Now' Panel on Leadership Readiness
In this context, the "Duqm Now" initiative is hosting a panel discussion on August 19 at the Crowne Plaza Duqm Hotel to explore the essential skills employers look for when selecting new managers. The session will feature prominent industry voices, including:
Aisha Al Balushi, Environmental Officer at Asyad Container Terminal.
Mohammed Al Farsi, Head of the Food and Fisheries Industries Sector at the Special Authority for Economic Zones at Duqm.
Maryam Al Rawahi, HSE Technical Expert at OQ8.
The session will be moderated by Talal Al Shahri, Director of Specialized Radios at the Ministry of Information.
The event specifically targets mid-career professionals, focusing on the critical juncture where an employee transitions from executing technical tasks to overseeing projects and leading teams—a career stage that often receives less attention compared to fresh graduate recruitment or executive development programs.
Growing Omani Workforce in the Private Sector
The timing of the event coincides with a steady increase in the participation of Omani nationals in the private sector. The number of Omanis employed in this sector reached 441,737 in June 2026, marking an 8.6% year-on-year growth. Furthermore, the number of Omani technicians rose by 6.4%, and the number of specialists increased by 3%. These figures reflect a broadening talent pool of local competencies preparing to step into leadership roles.
Beyond the Job Description
The initiative emphasized that promotion decisions are not solely based on the qualifications and experiences outlined in a job description. They are also intrinsically linked to an employee's capacity to shoulder responsibility, maintain high performance under the pressure of shifting priorities, and demonstrate a proactive readiness to take on leadership tasks before formal opportunities even arise.
During the panel, speakers will share insights into the pivotal moments that shaped their career trajectories, the opportunities they almost missed, and the specific criteria organizations adopt when evaluating an employee's readiness to lead others amid the rapid, ongoing shifts in global labor market demands.