From 2nd – 5th July 2018, two members of the Bow Resources team, Ben Carlisle and Alice Price-Pettit travelled to Muscat, Oman to meet with training providers, institutions, universities and Oil & Gas operators to discuss recruitment needs and plans for expat recruitment and Omanisation.
Meeting with both current and prospective clients, we were given tours of state-of-the-art training centres (classrooms, workshops, control rooms, simulators) to give us a comprehensive understanding of how the students are taught and assessed on a day to day basis. This experience was invaluable to us, having worked in the training market for 4 years, we wanted to see first-hand, what the set up and operation of these centres entailed.
We also met with various departments from international E&P companies, where we discussed future exploration in the region and how Bow Resources could help with project manpower solutions.
Our trip coincided with the England vs Columbia last 16 play off match in the 2018 World Cup. We met with clients for a drink, found a sports bar showing the game and had a truly nail biting experience! An England win on penalties felt all the more sweeter after a successful and insightful day of meetings!
On our last night, we were taken for a wonderful tour of the city to the Sultans palace and the souq as well as a truly authentic Omani meal (Thanks Steve!) which we can safely say was utterly delicious – anyone in the country must try an Omani Shuwa, meat slathered in a thick blend of oil and spices, wrapped in banana leaves, and cooked over hot embers underground for up to 24 hours. A taste sensation!
Throughout our trip, we were overwhelmed with the generosity, cordialness and warm-hearted natures of the Omani people and felt extremely “at home” – which was a surprise considering neither of us had been to the country before.
We hope that business will flourish for us in this region as we relish the thought of making a return, Inshallah!
Written by Alice Price-Pettit, Principal Consultant at Bow Resources.
