Bangkok--22 Jan--Neo Target
Three Ministries join hands with the country's 13 leading private companies to form a Competitive Workforce to actively drive vocational education to be able to compete at world level; and has set a goal for tangible results starting from the first two years.
Dr. Somkid Jatusripitak, Deputy Prime Minister, presided at the "MOU Signing of the Competitive Workforce" comprising members of the Public-Private sectors and the people (People's State): Gen. Dapong Ratanasuwan, Minister of Education is head of the public sector which also includes two other Ministries, namely, Ministries of Labour and Industry. The private sector consists of 13 leading companies with Mr. Roongrote Rangsiyopash, President & CEO of SCG, as head of the private sector; and Gen. Lertrat Ratanavanich, Board Chairman, Thailand Professional Qualification Institute (Public Organisation), as representative of the social sector for human capital development.
Dr. Somkid Jatusripitak disclosed that this MOU signing is in accordance with the resolution of the Public-Private Steering Committee whose duties are to drive Thailand's economy aimed at achieving the highest goal of becoming a country with High Income and Inclusive Growth.
The key to success to reach such a goal comprises reducing overlapping, raising the quality of the people, and pushing to be more competitive. The Steering Committee will proceed under the Pracha Rat (People's State) initiative with a focus on driving through Action Agenda using four major strategies: 1) Good governance 2) Innovation and productivity 3) Developing human capital and 4) Wealth responsibility.
The Competitive Workforce has been given the responsibility to push for excellence in vocational study in every aspect starting from the first two years after which steps will be taken to continue to drive the country.
Gen. Dapong Ratanasuwan, Minister of Education, as head of the Public sector stated that the Steering Committee is responsible for five major tasks 1) Create public value and incentives for more youths to enroll in vocational colleges 2) Produce sufficient vocational graduates to fill in the needed shortage to help develop the country 3) Build quality vocational students 4) Build vocational excellence in every aspect 5) Internationalise vocational study and collaborate with overseas organisations.
The role of the state is to coordinate cooperation among various government agencies concerned in the fields. They are providing statistical data; laying down skilled labour standards and appraisals; creating policies, regulations and rendering incentives conducive to enabling the private sector to help raising the bar of skilled labours; and securing resources and budget to respond to the need of the people.
The 13 leading private companies joining the Competitive Workforce are: SCG; Thai President Foods Pcl.; ChorKanchang Pcl.; IRPC Public Co., Ltd.; ICC International Co., Ltd.; Honda Automobile Co., Ltd.; Mitphol Group.; Kasikornthai Pcl.; Summit Auto Body Industries Co.,Ltd.; Bangkok Airways Pcl.; Central Department Store Ltd.; CP All Co., Ltd.; and Rtta Co.,Ltd.
Mr. Roongrote Rangsiyopash, President & CEO of SCG, in his capacity as head of the private sector said, "Today's signing marks the official announcement of the private sector's active contribution to work for the good of the country. The Competitive Workforce will work in two phases: The first 'Quick Win' phase will last 6 months focusing on 1) Re-Branding to build incentives through a positive image amongst the target group both directly and indirectly by communicating opportunities for advancement in vocational education 2) Build Excellence Model Schools where schools which uphold proper learning and teaching methods will be considered "model schools" to support vocational colleges including curriculum adjustments - by the private sector 3) Develop Database on both Demand for skilled labour and Supply of vocational graduates covering the entire country in order to be prepared for business expansions especially in the 10 new industry groups.
In the medium to long term phase, the working group intends to accomplish the following tasks:
1) Setting up standards in professionalism; education, employment, remunerations and others to correspond to caliber knowledge and skills 2) Amending laws and regulations conducive to raise the vocation education standards 3) Ensuring vocational education quality in a sustainable manner by incorporating plans for such purpose in the National Social and Development Master Plan 4) Putting in place an agency to collect overall database related to vocation education 5) Developing curriculum and instructors with Vocational Educator Development Institute at the helm.
Gen. Lertrat Ratanavanich, Board Chairman, Thailand Professional Qualification Institute (PubllicOrganisation), added, "As a public organization established to develop professional qualification to in turn develop a workforce both within and without the education system with ability to measure according to the country's needs; and contribute to the development of the new generation in vocational study and produce a workforce with professional standards to serve industry needs. The Institute will urgently push New S-Curve Industries such as the Thai Aviation industries, logistics industry, processed food industry, digital industry as well as high revenue tourism and medical tourism.
The institute will also cooperate with agencies both within the country and overseas to set up professional standards such as professional trainers within companies in collaboration with The Federation of Thai Industries; bilateral learning and teaching; standards of English language teachers in collaboration with the Ministry of Education; standards of megatronics teachers in collaboration with Vocational Education Commission and Germany as well as IT Technology teachers in collaboration with Educational Institutes of Thailand and Australia – to achieve pride amongst the graduates – and gain trust from the society."
Today's MOU signing is a positive move and a significant milestone for the upgrading of vocational education because driving the country's economy should not be the duty of any one unit but that of every party be it the government, private or social sectors who are all seriously committed to drive this initiative to obtain tangible results starting from the first two years. After the said period all parties will monitor results and conduct further discussions as this undertaking for the good of the country will inevitably take time and depend on much more cooperation from all sectors.