Thai Government subsidizes HR training for EEC

BANGKOK, April 25 (TNA) - The Thai government, through the Ministry of Education, plans to spend a total budget of about 14.14 billion baht on subsidizing knowledge and skill training for more than 100,000 vocational and undergraduate students over the next five years to serve 10 targeted industries in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). Deputy Education Minister Dr. Udom Kachinthorn told journalists that the Thai Cabinet approved the subsidy plan for 2018-2022 at its weekly meeting at Bangkok's Government House on April 24, stating that the vocational students will be subsidized about 60,000 baht each and undergraduate students about 100,000 baht each. Dr. Udom said under the plan, 56,478 science and engineering undergraduates and 8,500 vocational graduates will be produced over the next five years, along with 52,899 vocational graduates who will be trained for their specific skill development through 6-to-12 month-courses. According to the deputy education minister, 20 universities have been selected to participate in the plan set to be launched next month, three of which are private universities, along with 27 vocational schools. The deputy minister revealed that all students under the plan are required to be trained at corporate firms for about 50 per cent of their learning periods and will be guaranteed their monthly salaries of at least 20,000 baht each if employed by businesses at EEC, where more technicians, as well as rail, aviation and technological personnel are demanded. (TNA)