EEC MOU, a private group of technology leaders continuing to accelerate the development of personnel to have digital skills according to the EEC model. It aims to create 475,668 people who meet the needs by 2023, to enter the industry that is transforming into the Smart Industry 4.0 era, enhancing investor confidence from around the world.
The emergence of 5G technology is a catalyst for rapid and widespread disruption in all fields. Including industrial sectors that have adapted to automation, use of artificial intelligence and building a smart factory that can be monitored and controlled remotely in real time which such technology will increase the efficiency of production. Reduce costs and increase profits for operators.
In addition, 5G technology is not just a communication connection. It is also the infrastructure that is at the heart of Industry 4.0, 5G Internet networking increases the capacity to process massive amounts of data 100 times faster than 4G systems.Data from IoT devices and important databases will be collected and used to create a display platform for government agencies, the private sector, and the public to use them effectively.
However, such technology must prepare people with the digital skills to bring in people who use them. Entrepreneurs therefore pay more attention and turn to invest in human development. Developing people in the EEC area is one of the ways to boost confidence and make entrepreneurs around the world interested in investing in the digital industry in the area.
Mr. Kanit Sangsubhan, Secretary-general of the Eastern Economic Corridor Policy Committee (OHEC) revealed that human development plans are challenging. Going back to the days when surveying the area when the Eastern Economic Corridor was established, there were more than 200,000 unemployed people with a bachelor’s degree, while the industry in the area needed around 50,000 technicians but unable to find workers. The labor force is one thing that entrepreneurs and investors are concerned about when investing in the area. which we saw the importance of this matter from the beginning.
Dr. Djitt Laowattana, Special Advisor,Education/ Human Capital and Technology Development, OHEC, said that 5G technology will help increase people’s productivity, what follows is a better quality of life, including product quality, It also reduces production costs. This change is in line with the demand and supply the world is looking for.
“I have to say that if we don’t invest now, we’ll miss the train. Even in Thailand, we do not create technology by ourselves. But it can generate enough revenue from usage.”
For this reason Therefore, it has surveyed the needs of the industrial sector (demand driven) with the Coordinating Working Group on Personnel Development in the Eastern Special Development Zone (EEC HDC) as the core, formulating a plan to upgrade Thai personnel skills in the age of changing technology. Duration 5 years (2019-2023) estimated the need for personnel in the EEC area, need to develop another 475,668 personnel to be sufficient to meet the needs of the private sector to invest.
By creating human resource development courses under 2 models, EEC Model Type A, the private sector will invest 100%, with entrepreneurs giving scholarships to students or vocational education. After graduation, take them to work as well. By joining forces with educational institutions to determine the course of study to have the qualifications and abilities that truly meet the needs.
As for the EEC Model Type B, the public and private sectors pay 50:50 half each, which will be short courses to produce reskill and upskill in the urgent phase. Emphasis is placed on developing skills that are essential for practical work.
The EEC has entered into cooperation agreements with the private sector, digital and 5G leaders, and educational institutions. To accelerate human resource development along with moving towards Smart Industry 4.0 with the following projects:
• Huawei Technologies (Thailand) Co., Ltd., together with the EEC and Burapha University, launched the first Huawei ASEAN Academy in Thailand, the 5G ICT and Digital course, providing training for 30,000 digital personnel skills within 3 years to become a training institute. Training on principles to increase the potential of Thai digital personnel. There are four cooperation frameworks:
1.Build a knowledge base, experts and platform for developing technology skills (ICT).
2.Create an environment conducive to the development of information and communication technology (ICT) and bring knowledge and experience from service providers to the industry for the best use of 5G.
3.Training to enhance ICT and 5G capabilities according to the Demand Driven principle, creating opportunities for the new generation go into practice create a good income job.
4.Create accreditation (Certification) Facilitate the target industries.
• Mitsubishi Electric Factory Automation (Thailand) has established the EEC Automation Park learning center focusing on technology adoption, targeting 8,000 factories in the EEC. Pulling over 200 local entrepreneurs, creating 15,000 personnel in 5 years, EEC Automation Park will be a center for networking and learning to be divided into 3 main areas:
1.Learning Center will have a demonstration of automation, a simulation of a production line system that combines the technology of factory automation and information technology together.
2.Training Center will have training activities that are short courses. Focus on learning outcomes of Industrial Technology 4.0 is a course that meets the needs of the industry.
3.Co-working Space Center will be open to industrial operators and others used for activities such as business negotiations, etc.
Recently, EEC has signed a partnership agreement with four other technology leaders: Cisco-Mavenia-5Gcatalyst-Planetcom. It is another cooperation to develop human capital to prepare for a fully digital era. It also strengthens the relationship between Thailand and the United States. A key investment partner and trading partner for over 190 years, with a goal of producing 40,000 digital talent within 3 years.
In addition, the EEC HDC has considered granting investment benefits in personnel skill development. According to the Cabinet approved the draft decree and extended the tax measure by 2 years (Jan.1 , 2021 – Dec.31,2022 ) with important benefits such as measures to support the relocation of production bases for foreign investors, Promote the development of highly skilled personnel, Can deduct training expenses 2.5 times, Personnel Promotion Measure for Industry 4.0, Donation of assets to the Center for Personnel Development Promotion able to deduct donation expenses 3 times.
(Source: Economic Section, Bangkokbiznews. Oct.17,2021 )
