Permanent Secretary of the Labor Ministry, Mr. Jarin Chakkaphark, presided over the opening ceremony of the one-day ASEAN Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Conference on 1 September 2018 at the Jupiter Ballroom 4-6, IMPACT, Muang Thong Thani. He opened the floor by welcoming the executive from the Labor Ministry, the representatives from international organizations and all participants to the conference and explained to the audience how and why the conference came to fruition. He further hoped that this one-day forum would be a platform which is beneficial to ASEAN member countries and WorldSkills members.
His Opening Remarks stated that over the year technology has been growing fast. Most people use communication through the Internet of Things which they can access their phones to do their business as well as changing their lives to make things easier and better for them. Although technology is another factor that can be used to increase their achievements, people still have to develop their skills in order to get benefit from the technology. The technical and vocational education and training management is a necessary factor to strengthen capacity of youth and young generation in the labor market, to be in line with industrial needs.
He also stated that the development of the technical and vocational education and training was defined in the global and regional development, including the sustainable development goals (SDGs). The ASEAN TVET is also related to the SDGs No. 4: Quality Education and the SGDs No. 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. Based on the national development, the ASEAN TVET is in line with Thailand 4.0 and Thailand’s 20-Year Strategic Plan and Reforms. The Labor Ministry has collaborated with local and foreign institutions, workplaces and relevant stakeholders to manage and develop on vocational education and skills training such as the dual education system, the lifelong learning and the employer contribution matching as well as the employee benefit and social welfare.
He further suggested possibilities to uplift vocational education and training by driving the following areas;
First, adjusting the mindset and attitudes of the parents towards vocational education. While many parents still consider college education as the best option for their children instead of vocational education, examples of best practices and role models must be publicized to create awareness to the parents and youth. Second, promoting stronger…………..
stronger cooperation between the government agencies, private sector, and educational institutions in broader areas by sharing resources and exchanging of knowledge and experience to create better and more practical school curriculum. Third, broadening accessibility and equality to education and career training by using maximum use of internet and technology to provide online education access. Fourth, creating a smart labor market by building technology-oriented system such as online job search portals, mobile phone application as well as revising relevant laws in order to cope with changing labor market environment.
