EEC head: Target sectors need 1m-plus workers

Demand for human resources in the government’s 12 targeted industries is estimated at more than 1 million over the next 12 years (2019-2030), according to the latest study by the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Office.

The tourism industry is expected to require 300,000 workers, digital 280,000, robotics 96,000, medical 95,000 and logistics 90,500.

The aviation and parts industry is projected to need 58,000 staff, smart electronics 56,000, smart automotive 55,000, the food industry 45,000 and agriculture and biotechnology 15,000.

Kanit Sangsubhan, the EEC Office’s secretary-general, said the EEC Policy Committee meeting chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha ordered related agencies to establish a working committee to develop human resources in line with future demand in those industries.

The working committee includes a representative from the EEC Office, Education Ministry, Digital Economy and Society Ministry, the Board of Investment and the Labour Ministry.

The Education Ministry reported yesterday the EEC Committee on human resources development in 2018 that related agencies could supply 14,767 new workers to 1,011 industrial factories mainly through a dual vocational training programme.

The scheme will operate in partnership with Japan, Germany and China, mainly covering six sectors: rail, mechatronics, robotics, aviation, logistics and smart farming.

However, the number is still considered insufficient because domestic industrial factories need some 50,000 workers.

Mr Kanit said three international universities have already open curriculums in the EEC, including Carnegie Mellon University, Taiwan National University and Institut Le Rosey of Switzerland.

The Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC) of the UK’s Pearson Education in partnership with four Thai universities also plans to introduce its courses within this year.