Ministry pushes for global skill standards

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Ministry is introducing an ICT Professional Skill Standard in the Asean Framework to help the industry locally and overseas. The standard is expected to be completed next year and will be run as a pilot ICT Skill Professional Standard and Registration System between Malaysia and Thailand over the next several years.

 ICT Industry Promotion Bureau director Methini Thepmani said the ministry presently acts as the central body for conducting the ICT Professional Skill Standard in the Asean Framework. The programme aims to transfer ICT human resources among member states in the region. The ministry will be able to raise ICT professional-skill levels to international standards.

 The framework will also aid the establishment of a regional mechanism for promoting ICT certification programmes and cross-certification as well as facilitate mutual recognition arrangements (MRAs) for professional skills qualifications in IT.

 She said that for Thailand, the ministry has planned on developing the ICT Professional Skill Standard project, which will cover 18 ICT professional skills. However, as the first step, the ministry will support and promote professional skills for ICT project managers, programmers, application software specialists and IT security specialists.

ICT professionals conforming to the standard will also get an international ICT certificate so that they can apply their work or start a business.

 "The ICT Skill Professional Standard will create a standard for ICT professionals in the Kingdom which will compare with international standards.

It will also help the education sector provide training courses to create specialists who are suitable for the market," Methini said.

 She said ICT skill standard can serve as a guideline to help companies take a strategic approach toward hiring and training of professionals.

 "The project will benefit all Asean member countries because ICT workforces need the same qualifications the world over and countries must have qualified IT workforces for worldwide competitiveness," Methini said.

 The ministry will also collaborate with the Labour Ministry and various ICT associations to set up ICT Skills Competency Centres to develop ICT literacy and enhance ICT skills, consequently developing IT human resources that meet international standards.

 "Thailand is now able to produce 38,975 to 40,000 IT professionals a year. We lack ICT professionals who could support the industry. It is necessary to enhance ICT literacy to develop human resources and advance the potential and competitiveness of the country," Methini said.

 She said the ministry is negotiating with Malaysia to pilot the ICT Skill Professional Standard and Registration System in order to create a Web portal that will allow skilled personnel to register and look for jobs in either country. The pilot project will also facilitate professionals to work in both countries by providing a work permit and ensuring a good quality of life.