Preparing Thai Vocational Students for ASEAN Community

The Secretary-General of the Office of the Vocational Education Commission, Mr. Chaiprug Sereerak, said that the first measure involves a survey on the labor demand in ASEAN member countries in order to formulate a plan in response to the demand in the region.

He said that the Office is now working with entrepreneurs in the industrial sector so that vocational students can be trained in various workplaces, so that they will have knowledge and work experience in line with the needs of the manufacturing sector. Cooperation with entrepreneurs also involves educational management to improve the quality of workforce.

The second measure seeks to adjust curriculums for both lower and higher-level certificates of vocational education in line with those of ASEAN. The curriculum adjustment focuses on three major areas. The first area involves language skills, especially English, so that students will be able to communicate with foreigners for their careers. The second area seeks to improve skills in information and communication technology, while the third area involves skills in working with people of different cultures.

Mr. Chaiprug said that the Sufficiency Economy and green technology concepts would also be added in the vocational education curriculum. These concepts will respond to the demands of both Thailand and other ASEAN members.

Head of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) General Prayut Chan-o-cha earlier urged the Ministry of Education to place greater emphasis on vocational education in order to produce more trained personnel, who are now in short supply. He said that the Ministry of Education has received the lion’s share of the national budget. Therefore, it must improve the education system in a concrete manner.

The Ministry of Education has also been urged to prepare personnel who have expertise in hardware, software, and computer networks. More emphasis should be placed on teaching content, as well as the development of teaching skills to be more appropriate for students at specific levels of education.

Thailand and its ASEAN partners are stepping up cooperation in linking labor market information in this region, so that they would be able to tackle the problem of labor shortages more effectively. The arrival of the ASEAN Community will open up greater opportunities for Thai and ASEAN professionals and skilled workers to work in various countries in this region.

A survey shows that young Thais have become more interested in working in other ASEAN countries, as they now have better knowledge and understanding about ASEAN through the education system.