Deputy Labour Minister Prof. Narumol Pinyosinwat reported that the Ministry of Labour’s Department of Skills Development and the Ministry of Defense signed a Memorandum of Agreement on promoting employment with people in the military since 2016. Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan chaired the occasion. Both ministries have continued collaboration under the MOA, which General Prawit gives great importance to as the military is considered quality personnel, which has cultivated discipline and positive behaviors, which is an important force in the nation’s development. Thus, the development of skills for knowledge and capabilities is another way for military members to have professional career options after discharge.
The Deputy Labour Minister continued to say that when she took office, she was assigned an important role in driving Thai workers to encompass skills that meet the labor market’s needs under the concept of “Create, elevate and give; uniting Thailand to build a nation.” Upon discharge, members of the military are new workers entering the workforce. Therefore, they must be upskilled to become quality workers, including raising the level of workmanship to receive fair wages following the skill standards wage rate, providing opportunities to develop their skills. The Department of Skill Development (DSD) has divided the target to all areas throughout the country for military and agency members to receive development.
The Department of Skill Development’s Director-General Mr. Tawat Benchatikul added that in 2020, it aims to reach a target of 1,060 people, spreading training across the nation. One thousand three hundred seventy people have trained, following employment tracking. From 1,158 survey respondents, 678 people were employed, representing 58.55 percent; their average monthly income was 9,164 Baht. In 2021, the target is to reach another 1,000 people, with training courses such as ceiling and aluminum technicians, indoor electrical wiring technicians, air conditioner technicians, introduction to male barbers, tiling, welding, aluminum technicians, techniques for installation and maintenance of photovoltaic systems and small engine mechanics for agriculture, for example. Once the training is complete, the Department of Skills Development has coordinated with the Department of Employment to provide career guidance and to inform vacant positions, and coordinate with various business establishments that need workers so that members of the military can have a job immediately.
“The military training program before discharge from service is another project that is in line with the concept of “create, elevate and give; uniting Thailand to build a nation.” The initiative requires intensive and continuous action so that the military can pursue a career as they want or apply for a job to generate sustainable income after returning home, which also impacts the overall national economy,” concluded the Deputy Labour Minister.
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Division of Public Relations
4 Ocober2020
