Ministries developing professional standards

Government agencies are making a joint effort to establish professional standards for workers in the domestic information and communication technology (ICT) industry.

The aim is to strengthen the quality of human resources in the Thai ICT industry and provide for the recognition of local professionals and an acceptance of their qualifications around the world, and particularly within Asean countries.

Development of the professional standards is being undertaken by the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Labour Ministries.

The director of the ICT Ministry's Industry Promotion Bureau, Ajin Jirachieepattana, said the national professional standards would enable local ICT professionals to compete with others internationally.

He said that the ministries were currently developing professional standards for IT project managers, network and computer-security specialists and systems-analysis specialists. Cooperation with the Software Industry Promotion Agency is also expected to produce professional standards for animators.

It is expected the new professional standards will be announced next year.

Ajin said local ICT workers who wanted professional standard certification would have to pass examinations to evaluate their ICT skills and literacy. Successful certification would enable them to apply for jobs in the industry. Salaries would also be evaluated according to the new standards, so ICT professionals would know their minimum salaries in Thailand and in Asean countries.

"I think the national ICT professional standards will compare well with international standards. Attaining these standards will enhance the ICT literacy of people working in the local industry and encourage them to reach national and international standards," Ajin said.

The director of the ICT Ministry's Policy and Strategy Bureau, Methini Thepmani, said the national ICT professional standards would support the Asean ICT- Skills Standards-Development Initiative, which aimed to create competitiveness and enable the transfer of professional ICT skills within Asean countries to support local industries.

The Asean initiative, which began last year, aims to set ICT-skills standards within the Asean region with an initial focus on careers, and is expected to recommend standards for regional accreditation of ICT-skills certificates. It also aims to close the gap between the levels of ICT skills in developed and developing countries.

Methini said the national ICT professional standards would serve as guidelines to help companies to adopt a strategic approach to hiring and training professionals.

"The project will enable all Asean member countries to benefit because ICT workforces will have the same qualifications, equalling international standards, and ICT industries will be able to employ qualified professionals to enhance their local and international competitiveness," she said.

Ajin said the national ICT professional standards would create competitiveness for Thailand in providing outsourced software and other services as well as exporting software to global markets. Professional skills will also be transferred between Asean countries to support national industries.