On March 14, 2022, Labour Minister Mr. Suchart Chomklin assigned the Department of Skills Development’s Director-General, Mr. Prateep Songlamyong, to lead the Saudi Arabian Academic Delegation on the occasion of their visit to Thailand from March 12 to 16. The visit was to attend an academic conference on recruitment between the Thai Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development of Saudi Arabia. They observed Halal cooking classes and preparation for establishing a training center and labour skill assessment center in hotel service, room service, and Halal food preparation. The occasion took place at the training institute at the Bazaar Hotel Bangkok, which aims to prepare Thai workers before working in Saudi Arabia. Assistant to the Permanent Secretary of Labour Mr. Samat Pattamasukon, the Ministry of Labour’s executives and staff, joined to welcome. Mr. Prateep said that Prime Minister and Minister of Defense General Prayuth Chan-ocha has the policy to send Thai workers to work in Saudi Arabia. The Ministry of Labour has responded to the policy. The Labour Minister, Mr. Suchart Chomklin, has assigned the Department of Skill Development to prepare the labour skills assessment center and facility to facilitate and provide services to workers who wish to work in Saudi Arabia. Today, he was assigned by the Labour Minister to lead Saudi Arabia’s academic delegation to observe the training and skill assessment, namely a training presentation in the service sector by Ms. Satapanik Thungthong, management of The Bazzar Hotel Bangkok. They also viewed room service activities and the making of applied herbal drinks, presented by Ajarn Surachet Direkbusarakhom or Chef Tam, with two recipes, including Blue Hawaiian with herbs and okra Italian herb agar soda.
Mr. Prateep added that the visit to observe this training and skills assessment was a preliminary visit by the Saudi Arabian Academic Delegation. They were satisfied with the availability of training and skill testing. Apart from the need for workers in the welding field, they particularly need welders and painters, including medical staff. They also need workers who are chefs, cooks, or hotel staff. The Department of Skill Development has prepared to support the deployment of Thai workers to Saudi Arabia by facilitating the training and assessment of skilled workers in the fields in demand. The Department of Skill Development’s skill assessments are in discussions to consider the guidelines for using national skill standards by improving the curriculum, fees, and tests to match the positions, including setting central and national skill standards and the format required by the employer.
“The labour skill assessment is a guarantee of competence to help build confidence. It is a permit for workers who want to go to work abroad. It improves job prospects and increases career progression. For those who pass the skill assessment, employers will know and be confident that they have the knowledge and skills that match the job position they want. It also prepares Thai workers to be able to undergo training and skill testing before working in Saudi Arabia, to ensure order and efficiency following the requirements and framework of cooperation between the two as well,” concluded Mr. Prateep.
In this regard, those interested in working in Saudi Arabia can register online at the website http://toea.doe.go.th. They must select “Register” and then “Job Seekers.” Interested people can study the manual on how to register at the Thai Overseas Workforce Administration website on www.doe.go.th/overseas, or contact the Provincial Employment Office in all provinces on official days, or at the Ministry of Labour’s hotline, call 1506 press 2 for the Department of Employment.
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Division of Public Relations
14 March 2022
