WHA Group Spearheads MoU to Establish “Industrial Skills Cooperation Academy”

The objective of the four-party partnership is to enhance the development of human resources and labor skills and to boost the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) in line with Thailand 4.0

Bangkok, 23 November 2016 – Four parties representing the public and the private sectors today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish an “Industrial Skills Cooperation Academy”, to be located in ESIE Plaza 1, Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estates, Rayong. The four parties vowed to work together to facilitate the development of human resources and to enhance labor skills, in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).

The MoU was signed at Hemaraj’s Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate (ESIE) between:

• The Ministry of Labor (MOL), Department of Skill Development (DSD), represented by Mr. Theerapol Khunmuang, Director-General;
• Hemaraj Land And Development Plc represented by Ms Jareeporn Jarukornsakul, Group Chief Executive Officer of WHA Corporation PCL. And Vice Chairman of Hemaraj Land And Development Plc.
• King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT), represented by Dr. Sakarindr Bhumiratana, President;
• The Thai-German Institute (TGI), represented by Mr Somwang Boonrakcharoen, President;

Covering a 5-year period, the MoU aims to strengthen the cooperation between the Ministry of Labor, private companies and institutions. The newly-established “Industrial Skills Cooperation Academy” will propose vocational courses and practical training programs to answer the specific needs of the growing workforce in various industries. This 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 its clients in our Hemaraj industrial estates to offer training programs to workers in companies located within Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate and Hemaraj Industrial Estates,” 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.”

During his address, M.L Puntrik Smiti, Permanent Secretary of Labour, The Ministry of Labor (MOL), said, “This is an excellent initiative in keeping with the Ministry’s Skill Development Promotion Act, B.E. 2545, to ensure that Thailand stays competitive. We intend to create a competency development model and career development plan, and provide a test system to ensure high skill standards. This is necessary to win the trust of investors.”

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.

“Since the beginning of the government’s “Thailand 4.0” concept and the launch of the Eastern Economic Corridor project, WHA has thrown its full support to participate in this collective effort. Today, we are particularly pleased to sign this MoU with all our partners and play an active role in its implementation,” stressed Ms Jareeporn Jarukornsakul.

“This Industrial Skills Cooperation Academy 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.” she 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
E-mail: pr@francomasia.com