Yasochanan and Julphand Launch Skills Upgrade Initiative in Udon Thani, Setting Thailand's Workforce Up to Meet Global Standards
Labour and higher education ministers inspected workforce training programs in Udon Thani to prepare Thai workers for overseas employment and meet international hiring standards. The initiative includes skills certification in healthcare, c
April 25, 2025 – Labour Minister Julphand Amornvivatana traveled to Udon Thani province alongside a delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Yasochanan Wongsawat to inspect and monitor progress on the government's workforce skills development policy.
The inspection aimed to support both domestic and international job markets. The delegation was received by Somchai Markartsreewan, director-general of the Department of Employment, and Somasap Patmasukuntan, director-general of the Department of Skills Development, along with other labour ministry officials in Udon Thani at Rajabhat University Udon Thani.
Minister Julphand reported visiting several important training programs, including nursing assistant and elderly care courses, professional Thai chef training, and electrical and air conditioning technician programs. The group also inspected vocational training demonstrations at the Labour Skills Development Institute 18 Udon Thani to build confidence in Thai workforce standards and reviewed preparations for overseas employment.
Activities included Korean language testing and work skills assessments (Point System) under the Employment Permit System (EPS) for sending workers to South Korea in compliance with legal requirements.
The Ministry of Labour's Udon Thani employment office organized a job fair providing consulting services and recruitment registration for positions in Japan under the IM Japan program and the "3M Project" (Jobs, Income, and Qualifications), developed in cooperation with educational institutions to align student skills with international labour market demands.
The labour minister noted that the Labour Skills Development Institute 18 Udon Thani has partnered with Rajabhat University Udon Thani to establish skills certification testing centers in electrical work, air conditioning, and Thai cooking, as well as competency assessment centers to certify regional workers with recognized standards.
"The Labour Ministry is committed to enhancing Thai workers' competitiveness through coordination with the education sector to develop modern curricula that meet foreign employers' needs," said Minister Julphand. "This will help workers achieve stable income and sustainable improvements in their quality of life."
