New talent centre set to spur private sector
TO INCREASE specialists and human resource talent to support the private sector, the Thailand 4.0 scheme to upgrade the nation’s technological base, and Eastern Economy Corridor (EEC) project’s Board of Investment (BOI) joined hands to set up the Strategic Talent Center (STC).
Hirunya Suchinai, (woman) secretary general of the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) said that the BOI is cooperating with government agencies, including the Science and Technology ministry, National Research Council of Thailand, National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), in addition to the National Science Technology and Innovation Policy Office. Together, they are setting up the Strategic Talent Center (STC), whose role will be to facilitate private sector recruitment needs and seek both Thai and foreign researchers, specialists, and skilled workers to support businesses.
The centre will help identify Thai and foreign experts with special skills across technology and innovation. This will involve matching experts to support the staffing requirements of participating companies. The aim is to make it more convenient for companies operating in Thailand to recruit specialists and experts in the area of research and development, and thus take the nation’s competitiveness to the next level.
“Recruiting talent is one of the most important challenges for any business and a significant key driver for the Thailand 4.0 scheme,” said Hirunya. “The STC will enable the private sector to have easier access to the available pool of specialists and talent related bio-technology, nano-technology, digital technology and science technology – and to facilitate the entry and settling of foreign experts who are in demand. The STC will also collect names of experts and talent in a database.”
Hirunya said that the STC moreover would promote links between the research sector and private sector. It will also provide expertise recognition services for those in science and technology fields. The recognised experts will be facilitated regarding their visa and work permits and will have access to the e-expert system run by the One-Stop Center for Visas and Work Permits.
Role of facilitator
Suwipa Wanasathop, vice president of the National Science and Technology Develop Agency (NSTDA), said that the agency will be a facilitator seeking science and technology experts, both Thai and international talent, to support and match demand labour needs of the private sector.
“We will help to identify and invite foreign experts so that the private sector will able to transfer technology from international experts to local experts. Then the private sector will able to enhance and create more potential for their business,” said Suwipa.Suwit Maesincee, Minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office, said that the STC will help leverage the Thailand 4.0 scheme and Eastern Economy Corridor (EEC) project. Human resources talent is valued as necessary to the economic base required to create a new chapter of trade and investment. Moreover, the centre will serve as a link between the demand and supply sides to develop the country in the long term and to create national sustainability in the next step.
Suwit added that the science and technology knowledge and will drive the intellectual infrastructure that will able attract investors to the country and drive the Thailand 4.0 scheme.
