Thai Skill Development Policy to Embrace the 20-Year National Strategy

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the policy on skill development for the Thai labor force, specifically focusing on its alignment with a 20-year national strategy. Additionally, the study attempted to identify the factors that have a significant impact on the execution of this policy and to highlight the obstacles associated with it. A qualitative methodology was employed to conduct in-depth interviews with 17 key Informants. These stakeholders included high-ranking officials from several governmental bodies such as the Ministry of Labor, Higher Education, Science, Research, and Environment. The study results identified three primary domains: 1) The Thai Labor Skill Policy is formulated to strengthen the 20-year national strategy. It is organized based on six fundamental concepts. These principles promote the importance of being proficient in innovation and modern technology, the ability of Thai laborers to adapt to emerging industries, the emphasis on lifelong learning in current scientific fields, the development of multilingual skills, the fostering of innovative and value-added thinking, and the alignment of skills with global labor market needs. 2) The study identified key factors crucial for the successful implementation of policies. The actions mentioned above involve aligning initiatives with the vision of the national plan, the assurance of sufficient financial allocation for skill development in various sectors, the utilization of capable implementation agencies, the participation of diverse stakeholders, and the implementation of rigorous monitoring and assessment procedures. 3) Challenges and Obstacles: Several barriers to implementing policies were identified. These included employers' limited capacity to adapt to technological advancements, insufficient funding for initiatives aimed at enhancing skills, inadequate staff engagement with emerging innovations, and coordination difficulties arising from the involvement of multiple agencies, resulting in inconsistencies.

Based on the results, the study emphasized the importance of tight collaboration between governmental entities and the business sector. Establishing such a synergy will effectively enhance the development of skills across various age cohorts, guaranteeing the presence of an ethical, highly skilled, and perpetually learning labor force that is adequately prepared to meet the demands of future industrial and service sectors.

Keywords:    20-year national strategy, Thai skilled labor, labor policy