Thailand unveils initiative to boost human capital and digital development
As Thailand transitions to an upper-middle-income country, the imperative to enhance skills, bridge education gaps, and meet evolving labour market demands becomes increasingly crucial.
Thailand has rolled out the ‘Coding for Better Life’ programme, a strategic initiative to advance the nation’s digital ecosystem and foster human capital. The program seeks to raise awareness about coding among parents and the wider public, promoting the application of coding skills in diverse sectors such as agriculture, business operations, technology, and creative digital innovation.
This initiative aligns with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society’s 2020-2024 plan, strongly emphasising talent development and innovation stimulation. The programme’s holistic approach involves establishing coding infrastructure in 1,500 schools nationwide, incubating coding coaches to enhance the skills of over 3,000 instructors, and developing more than 20 coding curricula spanning basic, intermediate, and advanced levels. The anticipated impact extends to uplifting Thai app developers’ skills and facilitating next-generation innovations, as said in an announcement in November.
Why Does It Matter?
The introduction of Thailand’s ‘Coding for Better Life’ programme holds significant implications for the nation’s technological advancement and workforce development, fundamental tenets of their economic development project, as shown by a 2019 World Bank report. By promoting coding skills across various sectors, the initiative addresses immediate industry needs and aligns with Thailand’s broader vision for fostering innovation and nurturing homegrown talent by 2037. The strategic focus on education, particularly coding, positions Thailand to remain competitive in the global digital landscape.
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