On March 25, 2021, Deputy Labour Minister Prof. Narumon Pinyosinwat observed the National Skill Standard Assessment in tiling for 29 female inmates who were assessed. The Nonthaburi Office of Skill Development conducted the assessment at the Thonburi Women Correctional Institution. Director of the Thonburi Women Correctional Institution Khun Kusuman Nakphrom led the visit to the training rooms in massage courses, spas, and areas in detention such as the vocational training center, education, and nursing service center.
Prof. Narumon said that the probationary people and the inmates are another group of labour that the government, led by General Prayuth Chan-ocha and the Ministry of Labour under the supervision of Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan, gives importance to, to reduce social inequality. The Ministry of Labour was assigned to support, especially in preparing inmates for after detention, to prevent re-offenses. Therefore, promoting skills and professional knowledge is necessary and important to help this group of workers have the knowledge and skills that can be further developed for self-employment. The Department of Skill Development (DSD) has departments in every province, coordinating with prisons and related agencies to conduct vocational training for prisoners and inmates on an ongoing basis.
The Deputy Labour Minister said that the Nonthaburi Office of Skill Development conducted today’s observation of the National Labour Skill Standard Assessment in tiling. A total of 29 female inmates were assessed, and a training plan was planned for approximately 80 more inmates in tiling, screen making, aluminum doors and windows, and Thai health massages for health. It could be seen that mechanics do not always have to be male. Today, many craftspeople were women, such as electricians, tilers, bricklayers, and plasterers. Developing themselves will help them earn more. If they receive daily wages, their rate would be higher than general workers. Some jobs can also be contracted, which leads to more income, so it is not necessary that they have to work with an employer.
Director-General of the Department of Skill Development Mr. Tawat Benchatikul added that in 2021, training was carried out across the country for a total of 2,367 people, comprising 2,039 men and 328 women. Training courses include bricklaying, plastering, small engine maintenance technician for agriculture, motorcycle mechanics, electrical wiring in buildings, home electrical repair technicians, real wood frame furniture making, English for work, baking and cooking, men’s hairstyling tie-dye cloth-making, and coffee shops businesses. The Labor Skill Standard Assessment is in professions where labour skill standards are established. When the training is complete, trainees will also take the National Labour Skill Standard Assessment to measure the skill level and whether it meets the set standards or not. If they pass the standard, they will receive a certificate of National Labour Skill Standards to guarantee their skills and build the employer or service provider’s confidence.
The National Skill Standards Training and Assessments is an integration of working with male and female prisons. The efforts focus on career fields that arose from explored needs, also considered those that can create a career and a good income. For example, tilers are mostly contractors. The general labour cost for tiling 50 -100 square meters is 160 Baht/square meter. The labour cost for tiling an area of 300-500 square meters is 110 Baht per square meter. If one person can lay tiles spanning 5 square meters per day, they will have a daily income of at least 550 Baht.
“I would like to encourage everyone. The Ministry of Labor is ready to help, especially in skill development, to contribute career opportunities in the future. It also supports recruitment or self-employment to have a job, create income, and promote former inmates to continue supporting themselves and their families,” concluded the Deputy Labour Minister.
———————————
Division of Public Relations
25 March 2021
