Hemaraj Industrial Skill Cooperation Academy Opens at Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estates (Rayong)

Gen. Sirichai Distakul, Minister of Labour, Presides over Ceremony

Rayong, 9 March 2017 – Labour Minister Gen. Sirichai Distakul presided over the opening ceremony of Hemaraj Industrial Skill Cooperation Academy (HISCA) located in ESIE Plaza 1, Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate (Rayong). The Academy’s main objective is to produce 100,000 qualified workers within one year and to enhance the development of human resources and labor skills in line with the government’s Thailand 4.0 initiative.

Following the MoU signed on November 2016, four partners from the public and private sectors (Ministry of Labor, WHA-Hemaraj, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT) and Thai-German Institute worked together to facilitate the development of human resources and to enhance labor skills in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) through HISCA.

Present for the ribbon-cutting ceremony were representatives from:

• Ministry of Labor (MOL), Gen. Sirichai Distakul,
• WHA Corporation PCL, Ms. Jareeporn Jarukornsakul, Group Chief Executive Officer
• Vice Minister, Ministry of Labor, Gen. Charoen Nopsuwan
• Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Labor, M.L. Puntarik Samiti
• Thai-German Institute (TGI), Mr Somwang Boonrakcharoen, President

Covering a 5-year period, this collaboration will further strengthen the cooperation between the Ministry of Labor, and private companies and institutions. HISCA is proposing vocational courses and practical training programs to answer the specific needs of the growing workforce in various industries, that will help enhance the development of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) and the “Industry 4.0” concept under the “Thailand 4.0” policy.

“WHA Group will encourage stakeholders and clients to offer training programs to workers in companies located within the Hemaraj Industrial Estates and others located in EEC provinces (Chonburi, Rayong and Chachoengsao)” said Ms. Jareeporn Jarukornsakul, WHA Corporation Group Chief Executive Officer. “Our common target is to provide 100,000 fully-trained skilled workers under this program within the next twelve months.”

Mr. Theerapol Khunmuang, Director-General of the Department of Skill Development (DSD) said “This is the first training center that is fully supported by the private sector in terms of location, materials and tutors. This commendable project is in line with the “Pracharath” policy highlighted by the Prime Minister and the Minister of Labor to develop human resources in the country with the cooperation and support of the industrial and education sectors.

Dr. Sakarindr Bhumiratana, President of King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT), emphasized the importance of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematic)-based training. “This cooperation will deepen workplace-based training at all levels. We look forward to helping expand the pool of skilled workers in the Eastern Seaboard,” he declared.

Thai-German Institute (TGI) President Mr Somwang Boonrakcharoen explained, “We are working on skills enhancement programs and courses to develop a world-class work force. The Academy’s lecturers will teach strategic approaches to create and maintain a comparative advantage in the region.

“HISCA is a perfect illustration of what government agencies, academic institutions and private companies can do when they work together for the benefit of our country.” Ms Jareeporn Jarukornsakul concluded.

For more information, please contact:

Khun Wandee Lerdsupongkit/ Khun Nirada Kaewthai
WHA Corporation Public Relations
C/O Francom Asia
Tel: 02 233 4329 ext. 14
Fax: 02 236 8030
pr@francomasia.com