On July 10, 2024, at 17.00 hours, the Labour Minister, Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, chaired the opening of the 30th National Skills Competition, regional level, at the Prem Music Hall, Thaksin University. From the Prime Minister’s Secretariat’s Office, performing duties for the Ministry of Labour, Mr. Phuchong Worasri, the Ministry of Labour’s Spokesperson, Mr. Phumiphat Mueanchan, Permanent Secretary of Labour, Mr. Pairoj Chotikasathien, the Department of Skill Development’s Director-General, Ms. Bubpha Rueangsud, Governor of Songkhla Province, Mr. Somnuek Promkhieo, the Ministry of Labour’s executive committee, executives from the Department of Skill Development, heads of government agencies in Songkhla Province, the southern provincial group and youths participated in the opening ceremony. The opening ceremonies were held simultaneously in all four regions, looking for over 1,600 youths with quality skills throughout the country to be selected to compete in the national competition. It aims to spark a new generation of workers to step onto the world stage, showcasing the potential of Thai workers.
The Labour Minister, Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, said that the Ministry of Labour’s Department of Skill Development had adopted the royal philosophy of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great as a guideline for promoting labour skill development for the Thai workforce to have their skills upgraded to be accepted both domestically and abroad. The 30th National Skills Competition at the regional level is a platform for selecting youths at the regional level to participate in the National Skills Competition at the national level in 2025. It helps promote, support, and stimulate youths to be passionate about their careers, to be interested in and give importance to developing their skills to meet international standards. The initiative supports changes in technology, where business operators in the production and service industries have changed their working style and brought in more robotics and automation technology or AI. Technology is increasingly being used in production and services. What is necessary for driving the Thai economy to be able to compete internationally is students. Students who are about to graduate will be an essential addition to the workforce. They must be workers with skills, knowledge, and abilities at a higher level and must be able to adapt to rapid changes. Therefore, today’s event is a tool that will help integrate educational institutions, training centers, business operators, and various professional associations and organizations to recognize the value of youths and take part in developing the potential of Thailand’s workforce to meet future needs.
Mr. Phiphat added that the 30th National Skills Competition at the regional level will be held simultaneously throughout the country from July 10 to 12, 2024. There is a total of 1,628 youths competing, divided into 24 fields in 6 career groups according to the standards of the International Skills Competition Organization as follows:
1) Construction and building technology career group, six branches.
2) Communication technology career group, two branches.
3) Fashion and creative arts career group, three branches.
4) Personal and social services career group, three branches.
5) Production industry technology career group, eight branches.
6) Transportation and logistics career group, two branches.
“Gold, silver, and bronze medal winners in this competition will be eligible to participate in the 30th National Skills Competition at the national level during March 2025 in Bangkok or nearby areas. The national winners in each category will then have the opportunity to participate in training sessions and be selected to represent Thailand in international competitions,” said the Labour Minister, Mr. Phiphat.
The Department of Skill Development’s Director-General, Ms. Bubpha Rueangsud, added that the regional competition is divided into competition fields in four provincial groups:
– The Central Region group, organized by the Ratchaburi Skill Development Institute in 14 branches. Four branches will compete at the Muban Chom Bueng Rajabhat University, one branch at the Ratchaburi Polytechnic College, one branch at the Daruna Polytechnic College of Technology, two branches at the Institute for Personnel Development in Automated Production Technology and Robotics, one branch at the Labour College, and one branch at the Phetchaburi Skill Development Institute 35. There are a total of 422 competitors.
The Northern Region group, organized by the Nakhon Sawan Skill Development Institute 8, has 15 branches. Six branches will compete at Chao Phraya University, two branches at the Nakhon Sawan Vocational College, and one branch at the Nakhon Sawan Rajabhat University. There are 366 competitors in total.
– The Northeastern Region group, organized by the Khon Kaen Skill Development Institute 6 in 18 branches. Three branches will compete at the Sripatum University, Khon Kaen Campus, one branch at the K Consulting and Supply Co., Ltd., one branch, one branch at the Khon Kaen Vocational College, and one branch at the Kosa Khon Kaen Hotel. There are a total of 505 competitors.
The Southern Region group is organized by the Songkhla Skill Development Institute 12 in 17 branches. Five branches will compete at the Songkhla Rajabhat University and two branches at the Songkhla Technical College, totaling 335 competitors. In all four regions, the competition’s opening ceremony is scheduled to take place today, and the closing ceremony and award presentation will take place on July 12, 2024.
