The Deputy Labour Minister announced cooperation with Microsoft Thailand and National Telecom PCL to develop the workforce’s potential, building digital citizens to drive the Thai economy sustainably.
On March 22, 2021, Deputy Labour Minister Prof. Narumon Pinyosinwat stated that digital technology’s exponential growth had raised concerns over the economic and social impacts, especially on labour. One of the challenges in Thailand is developing a digital workforce to support target industries. Thailand’s entry into the digital age and Industry 4.0 has accelerated new businesses and careers. As a result, future workers will need to acquire new skills. Therefore, there is a need to develop labour skills, including reskilling and upskilling urgently, to provide workers with future skills to support future work. The efforts are in line with government policy, under the leadership of Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha, and the supervision of Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan, which focuses on developing manpower with abilities to use digital technology intelligently in their careers, resulting in valuable employment. It also supports changes in the workforce structure in the manufacturing industry and services replaced by digital technology.
The Deputy Labour Minister added that the Ministry of Labour’s Department of Skill Development (DSD) has a plan to develop the workforce, promote the development of training courses, and link cooperation in developing digital manpower to support the private sector. Today, the Ministry of Labour has established collaboration with Microsoft (Thailand) Co., Ltd. One of Microsoft’s commitments is to leverage digital skills and reduce the disparity in technology use. Microsoft supports basic digital skills knowledge to provide people with access to online training, aiming to enhance Thai workers’ digital skills. It aims to increase employment opportunities, reduce disparities in the use of digital technology, and be one of the main forces in creating digital citizens to build a sustainable economic foundation. Currently, Microsoft offers courses on digital skills from the basic level to the use of modern office programs, including digital skills for startups and modern businesses. It provides services through the Department of Skill Development’s website on online skills training. It also offers training on the use of Microsoft Teams to the DSD’s personnel and 82 training units throughout the country to promote training among the DSD’s personnel to expand training to develop digital skills for the workforce in the workforce area.
In addition, the DSD has also collaborated with National Telecom PCL to carry out the online skill development SIM card project to enable the registered users of online training with the DSD to access the Internet at an affordable price. It is also another channel for effective access to government services, which will have an official press release in the future.
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Division of Public Relations
22 March 2021
