Courses linked to available jobs are the way to go
Dec 01, 2010
The world is evolving fast, and many people have been left behind the new evolving systems, including personnel of the Education Ministry.
Published on November 22, 2010
But the ministry does not deserve all the blame for its personnel not being able to catch up with global trends, given the limited budget and the allconservative management styles inherited from the past. Nearly all training programmes so far have focused on teaching techniques, but not the substance.Signs of improvement are emerging, though, through the assistance of organisations which realise that human resource development is the top priority if the entire nation is going to progress with the rest of the world.
Take Thailand’s commitment to regional integration under the Asean Economic Community (AEC) in 2015. All business sectors are bullish about the promising outlook, given Thailand’s abundant raw materials and expertise. Still, to reap the full benefits, Thai companies need to spread business to cover other Asean countries while staff at home must work hard to defending domestic businesses. That could be achieved with personnel who know the AEC’s advantages and disadvantages.
With concern that few Thais are equipped with the knowledge, the Commerce Ministry is helping to draw up a course for high school students. Hopefully, graduates of this will become valuable workers in the near future.
High on the agenda of plans for national development is the effort to turn Thailand into a serviceoriented economy as a way to reduce reliance on exports. The hospitality sector is the priority. At present, the tourism industry contributes less than 10 per cent of economic activity, but it employs nearly 2 million workers. If this sector is to grow further, workers must be equipped with the knowledge and knowhow to improve their skills. People with longsighted business vision are needed, and this requires longterm planning.
The Dusit Thani started an academy years ago to produce personnel for the hotel sector. A more integrated effort is being shaped with help from Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), to create skilled workers for the meetings and convention industry (MICE).
Now, TCEB is working hand in hand with universities in drawing up courses. The first programme was unveiled a few months ago with cooperation from Prince of Songkla University. Khon Kaen University is the next target. The purpose is to create skilled employees for the industry. Importantly, there are exhibition centres in the two provinces that need workers.
Courses shaped according to clear purposes guarantee jobs for graduates and the overall sustainability of the entire economy.
At present, education institutions are launching several programmes to attract students, but there is no clear sign how the graduates will end up in the labour market. During an education fair last week, I learnt that Kasetsart University introduced a bachelor course in aviation technology management. A student acknowledged that he may be able to seek a job at an aircraft company if he pursues education in aviation engineering. The course could be more interesting and promising if it wins support from Thai Airways International. THAI could help shape the course according to its plan to improve the competitiveness in maintenance service. With a connection with both aircraft makers like Airbus and Boeing, THAI could also guarantee lectures by professional engineers.
We all know that people are the heart of success at a business unit or national level. And we may have to admit that if quality human resources are an integral part of success, the Education Ministry should not be left alone. The question is how much open education institutions are to this “cooperative” approach.
Chularat Saengpassa