Bangkok--12 Jul--Hill & Knowlton
Microsoft (Thailand) Limited has unveiled the successful results of BETTER project and announced its strong support to enhancing the IT skills of Thailand’s workforce for the third consecutive year. To better strengthen IT skills, the project is introducing a new online Smart Entrepreneur course. BETTER project also supports ASEAN Free Trade which will take place in 2015 to prepare the Thai workforce to compete with the entire region.
Nakorn Silpa-Archa, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labor, said, “From its two years of operation, the BETTER project which is a collaboration between the Department of Skill Development, Microsoft Thailand and the Kenan Institute Asia, has been warmly received by the Thai workforce, seeing that the number of people participating in the program has increased by 76.17 percent from the previous year. Currently, there are 21,467 people joining the program with expectations for that number to reach 40,000. According to a survey, more than 40%of people joining the program indicate that the IT knowledge they have learned from the program helps enhance their IT skills and techniques and improves their abilities at their current jobs. Meanwhile, 28.57% gained confidence and expertise in using IT. Moreover, more than 6 % saw advancements in their careers after joining the program.
Kasemsri Na Ayudhaya, Managing Director, Microsoft (Thailand) Limited, said “The country’s economy is growing with the expected GDP at 4.5%, therefore there is a continuous need for workforce, especially one that is skilled. Meanwhile, Thailand’s labor productivity increases by only 3% per year. This reflects a workforce trend that means workers should grow their potential because they have a high chance of gaining better job opportunities which will help strengthen the overall workforce market and the country’s national competitiveness. Microsoft Thailand believes that greater access to technology and the sharing of IT skills can really transform lives and enhance living standards, so we have been focusing a lot of our attention on this in Thailand through our ongoing Microsoft Unlimited Potential initiative, with the establishment of BETTER project. The project is warmly received by the Thai workforce and plays a vital role in bringing success to their careers in terms of workforce capabilities and job opportunities. Meanwhile, Microsoft will continue support the development of the Thai workforce in order to prepare them for the upcoming ASEAN free trade in the future.”
Apart from providing a grant to Kenan Institute Asia to use for the program over a period of 3 years, Microsoft Thailand, as an industry leader in the IT field with considerable expertise in IT skills training, will provide course material in the form of its Microsoft Unlimited Potential Community Learning curriculum and the Microsoft Digital Literacy curriculum which have been used successfully worldwide and for Microsoft’s Community Technology Skill Program in Thailand for five years. In order to further strengthen the Thai workforce and build up their entrepreneurship skills, Microsoft, with the support from Kenan Institute Asia, is introducing an online Smart Entrepreneur course which people can register for and study online. Participants can also take a test online and receive a certificate after completing the course.
Those who are interested in the course can contact the Department of Skill Development in each region or Provincial Skill Development Center to enroll in the program. For further information or the online course, readers may visit http://www.thebetter-project.com .
Voices from participant
Ms. Kobkul Suwannapeng, a bakery owner in Chiang Mai who participated in Smart Entrepreneur course in the BETTER program, said “When I first started my own bakery, the business did not go as well as expected. I then decided to join the BETTER program and applied knowledge to develop a leaflet of the bakery’s menu using Microsoft Word. Also I have learnt to expand customer channels to a catering service for government offices, hospitals as well as companies. As a result, I have more customers and the sales have increased three-fold in 12 months. My business is stable now and I would like to thank the program for giving me this opportunity.”
Facts and figures
- The country’s unemployment rate has decreased from 1.5% in 2009 to 1.04% in 2010. (Info from Bank of Thailand during January - December)
- It is expected that the country’s unemployment rate in 2011 will be around 1.0 — 1.1%
Info about BETTER project
‘BETTER’ project, or ‘Building Employability Through Technology and Entrepreneurship Resources’ is the collaboration between the Department of Skill Development, Microsoft Thailand and the Kenan Institute Asia. The BETTER project which runs for three years from 1 May 2009 — 30 April 2012 aims to help more Thai people become employable by providing training for both new workers and those already in the workforce with valuable ICT skills. In addition the training, the program will also cover entrepreneurship and give advice on how participants may use ICT to give their entrepreneurial ideas a leading edge.
About MicrosoftFounded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
Established in 1993, Microsoft (Thailand) Limited provides world-class software that is easy to use and localized to suit the local market’s needs. It also has a compelling and consistent platform to build powerful business solutions that can scale from a notebook computer to a mainframe — class multiprocessor systems using Microsoft technology. For further information, information, please visit the Microsoft (Thailand) website at: http://www.microsoft.com/thailand.
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For further information, please contact:
Microsoft:
Suphada Chaiwong
Hill & Knowlton Thailand
Tel: 0-2627 3501 ext 209
Fax. 0-2627 3510
Email:
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