State plan to train 100,000 employees

Scheme is based on market demand

- WICHIT CHANTANUSORNSIRI

The government is set to improve the skills of 100,000 workers in an effort to align with modern technologies.

According to Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, speaking as head of the government's economic team, a major issue facing investors considering Thailand is the shortage of skilled labour.

He said the government will use the Competitiveness Enhancement Fund, which has a budget of 10 billion baht, to implement skills training programmes. The training will be demand-driven, based on market needs, rather than supply-driven, said Mr Ekniti.

The Board of Investment (BoI) manages the fund and will coordinate with businesses holding investment promotion privileges to determine the types of labour skills they require, he said.

The BoI can collaborate with educational institutions to design standardised training programmes.

"Our goal is to improve the skills of 100,000 workers through training over four months so they can enter industrial sectors, addressing labour quality issues among investors," said Mr Ekniti.