4 อุตสาหกรรม เผยผลสำรวจทักษะที่จำเป็น ยกระดับกำลังคนภาคอุตสาหกรรม4 Industries Reveal Survey Results on Essential Skills to Enhance Workforce in the Industrial Sector

The labor market is one of the crucial mechanisms in the industrial sector and serves as an economic indicator of the overall growth trend of each industry. Theoretically, the labor market should maintain a balance between employers' demand for labor and the number of employees to support the seamless development and expansion of businesses. Currently, the economy continues to show growth trends, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, during which many industries have returned to normal operations, resulting in an increasing demand for skilled labor to support businesses in the new era. However, on the contrary, many new graduates are still facing unemployment due to skills that do not meet the labor market requirements of employers.

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FTI Academy, under the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), serves as a central hub for gathering knowledge in training to enhance the skillsets of personnel in the industrial sector, focusing on both New Skills and Upskill & Reskill. It aims to enable learners to access learning resources conveniently and in a timely manner based on the needs of the industrial sector. The Academy has conducted surveys and studies on the requirements of various industries to determine the demand for graduate production (New Skills) that aligns with current needs, as well as to plan for workforce development and prevent overproduction of personnel. This article summarizes findings from four industries, including the construction materials industry, food and beverage industry, digital industry, and electrical and electronics industry, with cooperation from member operators of FTI who participated in the surveys. The summaries are as follows:

Labor and Skill Issues

1. Shortage of skilled labor in the profession.

2. Lack of interdisciplinary knowledge integration between architects, engineers, and construction technicians.

3. Insufficient use of technology, such as Building Information Modeling (BIM).

Necessary Skills

1. Interdisciplinary learning, including essential knowledge reflecting the construction sector's standards.

2. Effective collaboration.

3. Holistic knowledge in design (Design), engineering, and architecture.

4. Use of digital tools and technologies in construction.

Development Models

1. Knowledge that needs to be promoted includes Human Scale and design, Modular Construction, Building Information Management (BIM), Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA).

2. Knowledge sharing or know-how that helps save time and costs in construction.

3. Cross-disciplinary integration connecting holistic knowledge.

4. Using digital tools as a platform to create a common standard and foster collaboration.

Recommendations

1. The private sector and education sector should collaborate to design modern and practical curricula.

2. The government should actively support partnerships across all sectors.

3. Adjust structures and policies to facilitate rapid curriculum changes.

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Labor and Skill Issues

1. Shortage of labor at the vocational and technical levels.

2. Highly skilled technicians lack language and modern technology skills.

3. Lack of supply chain management skills.

4. Companies need approximately 1-2 years to train new graduates.

5. Shortage of scientists and researchers.

Necessary Skills

1. English language and modern technology.

2. Effective communication in the field, ensuring accurate and rapid transmission of information.

3. Design and development of automation systems (System Integrator).

4. Mechatronics & Robotics, Automation.

5. Digital Technology.

6. Biotechnology.

7. Computer Engineering.

8. Researchers for developing products for the future.

Development Models

1. Upskill & Reskill training in English and technology for senior employees.

2. Facilitate knowledge exchange between new and senior employees, sharing experiences and expertise (Reverse Mentorship).

3. Design intensive training programs that may span 20 weeks, including practical experience at companies.

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3. Digital Industry

Labor and Skill Issues

1. Shortage of core developers in the industrial sector.

2. Shortage of funding sources to support joint workforce development.

3. Issues in screening and facilitating digital personnel to work in the industry.

Necessary Skills

1. Programming skills.

2. Understanding of the industry’s operational processes.

Development Models

1. Develop digital curricula in collaboration with the education sector (Digital Integrated Industry).

2. Industry should recruit suitable candidates promptly and train necessary skills from an early stage (Early Harvest).

3. Hands-on training with real industry challenges.

4. 5-year program, with 1.5 years in education and 3.5 years in the industry.

5. Implement modular bootcamp training programs to develop targeted skills.

Recommendations

1. Accelerate the production of System Analysts and system developers for the industrial sector.

2. Adjust the curriculum to emphasize essential subjects for skill development starting from the first year, such as basic logic, programming, combined with modular training programs or workshops monthly, leading to employment in the industry after completion.

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Labor and Skill Issues

1. Still facing shortages of new skills and existing skills.

2. Graduates often work outside their field of study.

3. Employers are not actively involved in the curriculum design process.

Necessary Skills

1. Specialized technical skills, such as circuit board design and embedding software into circuit boards.

2. Mindset for learning and interdisciplinary integration.

Development Models

1. Joint curriculum design between educational institutions and employers.

2. Employers need to recruit suitable candidates with exceptional talent skills early on for internships and immediate employment.

Recommendations

1. Educational institutions should balance the direction between academic excellence and human development.

2. Create learning environments in educational settings.

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From the survey findings across the four industries, it is observed that each industry is adapting to global circumstances, resulting in a demand for skilled labor with specific expertise. This necessity arises from the need to incorporate technology to enhance and drive businesses in a modern context, addressing consumer needs. Furthermore, the surveys reflect the employers' and labor market's demands, aligning with the growth trends of the digital economy. Therefore, skilled labor must receive support from all sectors: educational institutions developing curricula, organizations promoting personnel skill enhancement, and government readiness to provide financial support for investment, aiming to elevate the nation’s workforce capabilities.

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For industry sectors or operators interested in information or seeking advice on training curricula for the industrial sector, please inquire further at FTI Academy, Federation of Thai Industries, phone 1453, press 12.