Deputy PM Visits SIMTEC to Boost Factory Workforce Skills

Deputy Prime Minister Ekniti Nitithanpraphat and a Board of Investment team visited the Sumipol Manufacturing Technology Institute (SIMTEC) at Amata City industrial estate in Rayong province. The delegation included BOI Secretary-General Narut Therdstiraskdi, Chachoengsao Governor Narish Niramaiwong, and senior officials from the Ministry of Finance and the BOI.

Governor Narish outlined Chachoengsao's role as a key economic and manufacturing hub, and one of the Eastern Economic Corridor's major investment zones. He stressed that long-term investment promotion must be paired with workforce development that matches modern industry requirements.

SIMTEC Director Thongpon Ulpatorn presented the institute's work, which trains manufacturing personnel through hands-on learning. He reported on progress toward securing BOI support under the Skill Bridge programme, which creates high-skilled workers for next-generation industries, and shared feedback on private-sector workforce development needs.

During the visit, the delegation met with the fourth cohort of the Green Transformation for Next-Generation Factory Leaders course, part of the BOI STEM++ programme. Around 900 participants have enrolled. The curriculum covers Lean, Industrial IoT, Energy Management, and Green Transformation through a SEEN–LEAN–GREEN–CLEAN framework, teaching students to identify production problems, eliminate waste, analyse energy and carbon footprints, and develop action plans and GX roadmaps for their organizations.

The delegation also toured the Learning Factory, a simulated production environment where trainees practise problem analysis and test technologies on real machinery and equipment. SIMTEC presented its performance and reflected private-sector needs to collaboratively develop skills essential for future manufacturing and industry.