Bridging Skills Gaps: An Analysis of Adult Vocational Education Programs in Thailand’s Labor Market
Keywords:
vocational education, skills gap, labor market, Thailand, adult learningAbstract
This paper analyzes adult vocational education programs in Thailand's labor market, examining their role in bridging skills gaps and addressing workforce demands. With rapid technological advancements and evolving economic landscapes, the need for specific, adaptable skills has become critical. Thailand faces a significant mismatch between the skills provided by vocational training programs and those demanded by employers. Through a comprehensive evaluation of existing vocational programs, this study identifies key areas where these programs succeed and fall short, particularly in offering practical skills and industry alignment. Factors such as government policies, private sector involvement, and accessibility issues are considered to provide a holistic view of vocational training efficacy. The findings suggest that stronger industry partnerships, curriculum updates, and the integration of technology can enhance the impact of vocational education on labor market preparedness. Recommendations include policy adjustments to support continuous program improvements and increased collaboration between educational institutions and industry stakeholders to ensure that adult learners acquire relevant skills for a competitive job market.
References
(1997). "Resources in Education". https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=EkPgAAAAMAAJ&source=gbs_api
(1998). "Resources in Education". https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=Uq6TZLqiG-wC&source=gbs_api
Adhi Kusumastuti, Samsudin Anis, Achmad Nizar Hidayanto, Sita Nurmasitah, Atika Atika, Delta Apriyani, Taofan Ali Achmadi, Sudiyono Sudiyono (2023). Proceedings of the 4th Vocational Education International Conference (VEIC 2022). Springer Nature. https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=83eiEAAAQBAJ&source=gbs_api
Asian Development Bank (2021). Technical and Vocational Education and Training in the Philippines in the Age of Industry 4.0. Asian Development Bank. https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=pSg5EAAAQBAJ&source=gbs_api
Birger Fredriksen, Jee-Peng Tan (2008). An African Exploration of the East Asian Education Experience. World Bank Publications. http://books.google.com/books?id=IIZ4O4CBm9gC&dq=Adult+vocational+education+programs+in+Thailand+and+their+impact+on+bridging+skills+gaps+in+the+labor+market&hl=&source=gbs_api
Collectif (2018-07-03). Education, Economy and Identity. Institut de recherche sur l’Asie du Sud-Est contemporaine. http://books.google.com/books?id=KztjDwAAQBAJ&dq=Overview+of+adult+vocational+education+programs+in+Thailands+labor+market&hl=&source=gbs_api
DVV International, Department of Lifelong Education, Chulalongkorn University (2020). The Role of Adult Learning and Education in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Vietnam and Thailand - Country Studies. DVV International. https://www.dvv-international.la/fileadmin/files/south-and-southeast-asia/documents/Final_Version_ALE_within_LLL_Southeast_Asia.pdf
Emanuela Di Gropello, Aurelien Kruse, Prateek Tandon (2011). Skills for the Labor Market in Indonesia. World Bank Publications. http://books.google.com/books?id=tdr3iNb7zrQC&dq=implications+for+stakeholders+in+Thailands+labor+market+regarding+adult+vocational+education+programs+and+skills+gaps&hl=&source=gbs_api
Guangpei Wei, Ampapan Tuntinakhongul (2024). Developing Adult Vocational Training Strategies for Chinese Higher Education Institutes under the Background of Industrial Revolution 4.0. Pakistan Journal of Life and Social Sciences, 22(2). pp. 2968-2979. https://doi.org/10.57239/PJLSS-2024-22.2.00218
Joan DeJaeghere, Erin Murphy-Graham (2021). Life Skills Education for Youth. Springer Nature.
Johann Heilmann, Nazaret Nazaretyan (2020). Reaching the Marginalized - Good Practices in Adult Learning and Education in the Middle East, Southeast and South Asia. DVV International. https://www.dvv-international.de/fileadmin/files/Inhalte_Bilder_und_Dokumente/News/2020/25_Publication_ALE_Poverty.pdf
Karen Evans, Annette Ostendorf, Chompoonuh K. Permpoonwiwat (2023).Resilience of Vocational Education and Training in Phases of External Shock – Experiences from the Corona Pandemic in Asian and European Skill Eco Systems. Innsbruck University Press. https://library.oapen.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.12657/85307/10.15203-99106-116-8.pdf?sequence=1#page=108
Kritsada Wattanasaovaluk (2021). The Economic Significance of Work Experience for Elderly Employment in Thailand. Volume 29. pp. 82-99. http://doi.org/10.25133/JPSSv292021.006
Kyaw Zin (2022). The Role of National Skills Standards Authority for the Development of National Occupational Competency Standard in Engineering Sector (Case Study in Yangon Region). Yangon University of Economics. https://meral.edu.mm/record/8527/file_preview/Kyaw%20Zin%2C%20EMDevS-14%2C%2017th%20Batch.pdf?allow_aggs=True
Le Thai Phong, Nguyen Thu Thuy, Nguyen Thi Hanh, Dau Bao Ngoc (2021). Does Demographics Matter in Lifelong Learning? A Research Context of Vietnam. Innovare Academic Sciences Pvt Ltd, Vol 9, Issue 5. pp. 27-31. http://dx.doi.org/10.22159/ijss.2021v9i5.42880
Manoon Toyama, Vasu Suvanvihok (2020). The Opportunities for Open and Distance Education in the Enhancement of Migrant Labour Skills and Competencies in ASEAN: The Case of Thailand. Vol. 12, No. 2. pp. 42-45. https://ajodl.oum.edu.my/document/Previous/Volume12.N0.2_2020/04.%20The%20Opportunities%20ODL.pdf
Marope, P.T.M., Chakroun, B., Holmes, K.P. (2015-05-26). Unleashing the potential. UNESCO Publishing. http://books.google.com/books?id=XLL9CQAAQBAJ&dq=Enhancing+vocational+education+in+Thailands+labor+market+through+adult+education+programs+and+skill+gap+analysis&hl=&source=gbs_api
Matthias Pilz (2016-12-20). Vocational Education and Training in Times of Economic Crisis. Springer. https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=utHDDQAAQBAJ&source=gbs_api
Nattadech Choomplang, Dararatt Anantanasuwong (2023). The Employment Perspectives of Care Providers for Older Persons in Thailand. Human Resource and Organization Development Journal, Vol. 15 No. 2/2023. pp. 51-54. https://researchmap.jp/nattadech0221/published_papers/46146968/attachment_file.pdf
OECD (2010). OECD Reviews of Vocational Education and Training Learning for Jobs. OECD Publishing. https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=4QdStvpfhN8C&source=gbs_api
Shubha Jayaram, Wambui Munge, Bob Adamson, David Sorrell, Nitika Jain (2017). Bridging the Skills Gap. Springer. https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=VBjjDQAAQBAJ&source=gbs_api
Suwithida Charungkaittikul, Sok Soth (2020). The Role of Adult Learning and Education in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Vietnam and Thailand - Country Studies. DVV International and Department of Lifelong Education, Faculty of Education, Chulalongkorn University. https://www.dvv-international.la/fileadmin/files/south-and-southeast-asia/documents/Final_Version_ALE_within_LLL_Southeast_Asia.pdf
Warn N. Lekfuangfu, Voraprapa Nakavachara (2020). Reshaping Thailand’s Labor Market Structure: The Unified Forces of Technology and Trade. Puey Ungphakorn Institute for Economic Research. https://content.botlc.or.th/mm-info/PIER/DP/dp123.pdf
WIJAYANTI Febry (2023). THE LABOR MARKET DEVELOPMENT OF THE LARGEST CITIES IN DEMOGRAPHIC TRANSITION CIRCUMSTANCE. Federal State Autonomous Educational Institution of Higher Education “Ural Federal University named after the First President of Russia B.N. Yeltsin”. https://elar.urfu.ru/bitstream/10995/130144/1/urfu2620_d.pdf
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Insights into Modern Education (i-ME)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
