Thailand Advances Skill Certification at ASEAN Labor Forum

Thailand: Thailand is taking significant strides to elevate its workforce standards by promoting "Skill Certification for Global Recognition" at the ASEAN Labor Forum. This initiative aims to connect Thai workers with quality international job opportunities by ensuring their skills are recognized across borders. According to Thai News Agency, Lieutenant Colonel Patthadarasmi Thongslueykorn, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, highlighted Thailand's efforts during the 29th ASEAN Labour Ministers' Meeting. The country is focused on advancing a skills certification system with international standards to help Thai workers enhance their skills and access quality jobs in a broader labor market. Minister of Labour, Mr. Chulaphan Amornvivat, emphasized Thailand's role as the Chair of the ASEAN Labour Ministers' Meeting (ALMM) in promoting a common standard for Skill Certification over the next two years. The initiative aims to standardize and internationally recognize skill certifications, empoweri ng workers to leverage their certified skills for increased job opportunities and better incomes. The approach will concentrate on three key areas: training course accreditation, labor skill standards accreditation, and ASEAN Centres of Excellence accreditation, within the 2026-2030 framework. Additionally, Thailand plans to pilot the ASEAN Digital Skills Passport (DSP) to facilitate workers' digital skills information in job applications and support skilled labor mobility within the region. Thailand is also revising its skills development KPIs to focus on tangible results, such as higher employment rates and income, rather than merely the number of trainees. Collaborations with the private sector will focus on job matching, particularly in future industries such as electric vehicles (EV), data centers, and artificial intelligence (AI). The country is preparing to introduce an AI Governance Framework to regulate and address AI's impact on the labor market, especially for new graduates, ensuring skills deve lopment aligns with technological advancements. Hosting the event provides Thailand with opportunities to further its skills agenda through cooperation with ASEAN member countries, particularly Singapore. Mr. Chulaphan discussed with Ms. Jasmin Lau, Acting Minister of Manpower of Singapore, the development of workforce skills to align with labor market needs and economic changes, as well as the implementation of the ALMM Workplan 2026-2030. Nearly 19,000 Thai workers in Singapore, predominantly in the construction sector, are recognized for their skills and expertise. Cooperation with Singapore exemplifies the bilateral extension of the "skill development to match the job market" agenda. Thailand expressed gratitude to Singapore for its care and protection of Thai workers. Captain Patthadarasmi concluded that Thailand's hosting of the ALMM meeting aims to promote the interconnectedness of skills from development and certification to skills information dissemination and employment, enabling workers to use t heir skills to create domestic and international economic opportunities. The ultimate goal is to ensure skill verification, certification, and recognition, leading to better job opportunities and incomes by aligning skill standards with employer needs.