The Deputy Labour Minister highlighted the results of the Department of Skills Development. Over 70 percent of those trained have stepped into entrepreneurship and self-employment, earning over 400,000 Baht a year. The DSD has continuously driven mission to train skills and raise the workforce’s standards to receive higher wages and promotes participation following the civil state model, emphasizing the slogan “Free Training for Employment.”
On January 6, 2020, Deputy Labour Minister Prof. Narumon Pinyosinwat reported that the Department of Skill Development is another agency that is an important engine in driving the country’s economy. The department promotes and supports Thai workers to work as a result of skill development. Over 4 million formal and informal workers receive training annually. From tracking employment of trained informal workers, it was found that over 70 percent of the trainees have work earning an average annual income of 400,000 Baht. Therefore, unemployed or vulnerable worker groups, with the opportunity to attend training and gain knowledge and abilities, will also have an opportunity to create jobs and a new career, supporting them to have a stable career and an income that can support their family. Ultimately, it helps the workers overcome poverty and reduces inequality in society as well.
The Deputy Labour Minister said that the DSD showcased successful trainees, which are examples to inspire those looking for work and may not know where to start. The government has agencies that can help such workers. Therefore, the Deputy Labour Minister invited the people to develop their skills. The Department of Skill Development has agencies in all regions across the country, in 76 provinces and Bangkok. Those who do not have the foundations can choose a course that is 2-4 months to train and raise their skill levels. Those who have already worked but seek to measure their skills and abilities can take the relevant national skill standard assessment. Once they have passed the standard assessment, workers will be allowed to adjust their wages. The assessments guarantee income, ensuring that it is not lower than the wage rate following the skill standards set in 83 career fields. The wage rate is higher than the minimum wage.
Mr. Phrom Phakkhanarat passed the training for aluminum frame technicians (560 hours) from the Phatthalung Skill Development Office in 2005; At present, he owns a business in making iron doors, windows, and aluminum works, with an average monthly income of 30,000 Baht.
Mr. Tawatchai Khanat (Chang Jo) passed the skills training in household and small commercial air conditioning technician from the Buengkan Skill Development Office. He currently owns a shop in the distribution, installation, repair, and cleaning of home/office/condominium and resorts air conditioners. He used to be a company employee working as an electrician. The company reduced its workforce, so he lost his job and returned home to find work. A friend recommended that he train as an air conditioning technician, as he already had some electrician background. Therefore, he chose to apply for training to upgrade his skills. The training was only 30 hours. In addition, he also passed the national skill standard assessments as an air conditioner technician to guarantee his skill. “I am glad to work at home. I can stay with my family and earn enough income to take care of my family. My income is around 2,000-3,000 Baht per day,” said Mr. Thawatchai.
Mr. Phaithoon Srinontaworanan said that he received training to maintain fuel supply systems and injectors in motorcycles from the Samut Songkhram Skill Development Office. He spent six months in training. He used to be a ship captain, living on the sea. The career was not stable, so he decided to quit and return to work at home and seek training. After the training, he invested in opening a motorcycle repair shop. In the beginning, there were rarely customers because he was not skilled in repairing engines. Therefore, only a few customers used his service. He had to gradually study and solve problems along the way. It took ten years to gain the stability he has today. Therefore, he shared to the younger generation that working at the beginning will be difficult, so be patient and learn and develop yourself. With training, we will learn to solve problems. Learning all the time will help us to see more opportunities than ever before. Currently, he has a monthly income of about 40,000 Baht.
Mr. Dusit Promsiri passed skills training as an indoor electrician in 2017 and household and small commercial air conditioning technician in 2020 from the Sisaket Skill Development Office. He also took the skills standards assessment in preparation to be evaluated in his knowledge and capability. He said that he was already an electrician but never attended a standard skills training or assessment. He heard the news from announcements that professional electricians must have a certificate to legally work. Therefore, he applied for training and standard assessments. After passing the training and obtaining a certificate of knowledge for electrician competence, he gained knowledge of working properly and safely, and a certificate of competence, boosting his confidence. Today, he accepts work in household electrical wiring, repairing all electrical appliances, installing/cleaning/repairing air conditioners, wrapping motors, water pumps/fans, and installing solar cells. He now has more customers and an average income of 2,000 Baht per day.
Mr. Pasawat Phanrot passed the training and national skill standards assessment as an electrician and received a certificate of knowledge and competence from Angthong Skills Development Office in electrical repair. He earns an average income of 7,000-8,000 Baht per job.
“The trained persons mentioned above are just a few examples. Many people have passed the training and use their knowledge in work, but it cannot be said for all. I want to tell all workers to know that when we learn and develop ourselves to keep up with technology and changing situations, we create opportunities for ourselves to have a good and stable life and get through crises. We can also adapt to the changes and the new normal to cope with the current situation among the Covid-19 outbreak,” concluded the Deputy Labour Minister.
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Division of Public Relations
6 January 2020
