The Ministry of Labour has implemented a project to drive the development of service personnel to support the changing technology and modern innovations. A Memorandum of Understanding on employments services and skills development in public transport services between the Ministry of Labour, Thai Smile Bus Co., Ltd., E Smart Transport Co., Ltd., and Dhurakij Pundit University.
On March 23, 2022, at the foyer on the ground floor of the Ministry of Labour, Labour Minister Mr. Suchart Chomklin gave a speech after presiding over the opening of the service personnel development project. The government under the leadership of Prime Minister and Minister of Defense General Prayuth Chan-ocha, and the Ministry of Labour under the supervision of Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan, has given importance to the project, including the policy to promote the use of technology and innovation to drive the country’s development, especially the use of renewable energy technology. The government has promoted electric vehicles to replace the use of energy from oil. At present, Thailand is alert and has turned to more electric vehicles. Therefore, preparing the workforce to know relevant abilities and skills is essential to support electric vehicles’ growth and technology, including related positions. The effort will promote employment for the implementation of the project. The signing of the MOU is an integration of three sectors, including the government, private, and education sectors. The MOU was signed between the Ministry of Labour, Thai Smile Bus Co., Ltd., E Smart Transport Co., Ltd., and Dhurakij Pundit University, showing the cooperation of the upstream, middle, and downstream agencies working together. The benefits are fully born to the workforce, helping promote employment, reduce unemployment, and allow new graduates to develop the necessary skills in preparation for the workforce. It will also promote the development of formal workers to have better knowledge and skills. Overall, it promotes quality human resources for the country’s social and economic development. Finally, the people will receive valuable services.
Permanent Secretary of Labour, Mr. Boonchob Suttamanaswong, added that the Ministry of Labour, Thai Smile Bus Co., Ltd., E Smart Transport Co., Ltd., and Dhurakij Pundit University would conduct training to educate company employees and prepare to provide training for new workers to fill vacancies as an electric passenger car driver. The position will be upgraded to captain. Reception staff on electric buses will be upgraded to a bus hostess, showcasing a progression in jobs in line with job values, careers, and changes in modern technology and innovation of electric buses. The industry will require a workforce of over 7,000 people in 3 years. In addition, training plans are being held to recruit new workers to other positions. The studies will promote and support the development of workers’ skills, knowledge, and abilities to meet demands and efficiencies. It will also promote and support all sectors to realize and see the importance of using electric vehicle technology and be part of the pollution reduction campaign, increasing the people’s quality of life to be environmentally friendly.
The Department of Skill Development’s Director-General, Mr. Prateep Songlamyong, gave a speech after witnessing the signing of the MOU. He said that today’s cooperation promotes employment by providing job placement services with the Department of Employment’s information system. The Department of Skill Development has developed labour skills training courses jointly between the government and private sectors in the course on the performance standards of electric bus drivers and the course on the performance standards of electric bus attendants. The framework will be used to develop personnel to work in such areas effectively. Electric bus drivers will learn to use the equipment and control systems of electric buses, rules, regulations, etiquette, personality, equipment structure, and the facilities of electric buses, including emergency measures. Electric bus attendants will learn about the role, techniques for providing service with heart, taking payments, skills related to using automatic payment machines, e-payment, and taking care of the car’s cleanliness while traveling. In addition to enabling employees to learn more skills, it also guarantees skills and knowledge to build confidence in workers working in these positions. It improves job prospects and increases career progression. On the part of employers, they will know and be confident that the person has the knowledge and skills that match the job position.
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Division of Public Relations
23 March 2022
