Excellence Centers established to push vocational education into Thailand 4.0 era

The office of the Vocational Education Commission has set up 6 Excellence Centers with the aim of honing new skills for students for the rise of automation and robotics.  It will be promoting the national Vocational Games and selecting the cream of the crop from across the country to demonstrate their potential for Thailand’s labor markets in the new era.

Narong Paewponsong, secretary-general of Vocational Education Commission reveals that OVEC has found Excellence Centers for Vocational Education in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) to help vocational students develop their occupational skills and provide trainings tailored to their needs and interests. After receiving their vocational degrees, these students will be ready to work in their fields of study while OVEC will form an alliance with private sectors and focus on providing guidance and counseling for students to further their studies, depending on their true potential. This will take the vocational education to a whole new level in EEC, says Narong. 

At the beginning, there will be 6 Excellence Centers that will be situated in the EEC Eastern Special Development Zone: Chachoengsao Technical College. (Modern Automobile Center), Phanom Sarakham Technical College (Digital Center and Robotics), Chonburi Technical College (Rail and Logistic Center), Sattahip Technical College (Aviation and Tourism Center), Rayong Technical College (Automation & Robotic Center) and Chanthaburi Technical College. (Logistics center side)

The development of vocational education in the new era aims to improve and enhance student’s qualities and essential skills required for a fast-changing world in the 21^st century. That means they must possess both occupational and technological knowledge. In the past, OVEC had held an activity such the Vocational Games to bring out students’ full potential. 

There were occupational skills competitions according to their fields of study such as robotics, electronics repairing, innovation and cooking. Every vocational colleges are encouraged to take part in this activity as the students will become aware of solidarity and learn how to work for a common good. Vocational students and teachers in the new era must have knowledge in terms of theories and practices. The graduates should be equipped with all skills ready for the real world.