At the recentâŊNXPO Executive Board Meeting chaired by Dr. Suvit Maesincee, Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, NXPO President Dr.âŊKitipong PromwongâŊpresentedâŊresults of a survey conducted by NXPO on high-skilled manpower demands in target industries in the next fiveâŊyears (2020-2024)âŊand an outline of Manpower DevelopmentâŊStrategy and Plan.âŊ
NXPOâŊconductedâŊa survey on workforce demandsâŊin the next five years (2020-2024)âŊinâŊ12 targetâŊindustriesâŊ-âŊBiofuels & Biochemicals, Digital Industry, Aviation & Logistics, Wellness & Medical Devices, Automation & Robotics,âŊModern Transport, Smart Electronics, High-quality and Wellness Tourism, Agriculture & Biotechnology, Food Processing, Defense Industry and Education and Training.âŊ The studyâŊrevealed thatâŊthere is a strongâŊdemandâŊforâŊtalents, ranging from bachelorâs to doctoral-degree holders to fulfillâŊ317,946âŊjobs.âŊOf theseâŊdemands, 145,613 jobs are in BCG sector (Bio-Circular-Green economy), which can be broken down to: 74,244 jobs in Agriculture & Food,âŊ20,153 jobs in Wellness &âŊMedicine,âŊ9,836 jobs in Biofuels & BiochemicalsâŊand 41,380 jobs in Tourism and Creative Industry. While the education sector produces around 300,00 new graduates/year, the demands for new talents in target industries are 63,589 persons/year.âŊ
These results showed that the country can produce more than enough workforce to supply to industries, but the problem liesâŊinâŊthe quality of workforce. Industries now look for candidates with cross-disciplinary knowledge and skills. The study further revealed the current skill gaps in foreign language, computer literacy, mathematics and computation, management, thinking and communication. The challenge for the government is therefore to create an education system as well as update/redesign curriculaâŊand programs that will equip new graduates with knowledge and skills meeting the requirements of the industries, along with upskillingâŊand reskillingâŊprograms for current workforceâŊwhich can be achievedâŊthrough short courses, training and research.âŊâŊ
The Board of Investment has announcedâŊfiscal measuresâŊto encourage companies to provide training and apprenticeship programs toâŊtheirâŊemployees, including 250% tax exemption for training expenses – provided that the training is conducted by registered training organization andâŊin the fieldsâŊlisted onâŊthe Future Skills Set to be announced by NXPO, and 150% tax exemption for expenses spent on hiring employees with advanced STEM knowledge.âŊ
MinisterâŊSuvitâŊcomplimented the extensiveness of the study and its usefulness in setting the strategy and plan for manpower development. However, as the study was conductedâŊprior toâŊthe COVID-19 outbreak, the strategy and plan will need to be re-evaluated taking into account the impact of COVID-19.âŊAs foreign investment will likelyâŊbeâŊpulled out, local economy will becomeâŊthe focus in the post-COVIDâŊperiod.âŊ Workforce demands in local economy will therefore need to be investigated. ReskillingâŊprogram will be essential as the outbreak has re-shaped the economy, businessesâŊand the job market.âŊ MinisterâŊSuvitâŊsuggested that NXPO work with the private sector, economists and the Board of Investment on analyzing and developing the post-COVID scenarios of economy, investment and employment. Such scenarios will helpâŊdetermine manpower strategy and plan.âŊ
