Vast and rapid changes in global technologies have made development of a sound and efficient system of technical education (TE) critical for Oman and the other Arab Gulf countries. Producing TE graduates with the skills needed for success in today's global economy requires TE teachers with the following qualifications: mastery of the core skills required of students; the ability to guide students through the self-learning process; the ability to assess all types of student activities; and hands-on practical experience in fields being taught. The development of TE in Oman may be discussed in terms of the following phases: (1) 1984-1994 (during which time Oman had only 1 TE college with 35 staff members who used a traditional teacher-centered approach); (2) 1994-1999 (when 4 additional regional colleges were established and student-centered education was introduced along with internal and external training courses for teaching staff and scholarships to help nearly all eligible technical educators work toward a master's degree or doctorate); and (3) 1999-present (when a General National Vocational Qualifications system similar to that in the United Kingdom was introduced). Oman's policymakers have acknowledged the cost-effectiveness of employing highly qualified TE staff and funding the training required to improve their qualifications. (MN)