Sipa takes initiative to train embedded system workers
The Software Industry Promotion Agency has drafted a five-year plan for training staff to work with embedded systems, which aims to produce 10,000 skilled workers.
Sipa president Manoo Ordeedolchest said embedded systems, especially for software, provided an emerging field for Thailand to compete on the global stage but there was a shortage of skilled workers. Sipa will provide Bt40 million to Bt50 million to support the project. It hopes that within five years Thailand will generate Bt5 billion to Bt6 billion a year from the embedded-system business. The business currently generates Bt400 to Bt500 million per year in Thailand. In the first year the agency will cover 100 per cent of the project's costs. It will gradually shift the costs to the Japanese firms that require the skilled workers. Its funding level will fall to 75 per cent in the second year, 50 per cent in the third year and 25 per cent in the fourth year, according to the plan. In the fifth year the private sector will cover the total costs of training. The plan will be sent to the agency's board for approval. Once it gets approval, about 200 workers should be trained in the first year. The programme will be a collaboration between the agency, local organisations, including the Thailand Embedded System Association (Tesa), 10 universities, and five vocational schools. Training courses will be divided into two levels - coding and design. Besides funding, the agency will provide facilities and infrastructure, including links with Japan's Information Technology Promotion Agency. "Tesa is designing the curricula," Manoo said. "Training courses will be conducted by the universities and the vocational schools. Initially, we need to train the teachers who will then instruct others. This will be done by Japanese experts in embedded-system education." Sipa will recruit trainees, most of who are likely working for Japanese automobile makers. After receiving training they will return to work for the Japanese firms. "It's win-win strategy as the Japanese firms will get the right people suited to their requirements, while Thailand will get a better-trained workforce with design and coding skills," Manoo said.
Asina Pornwasin The Nation
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