EEC forges new partnerships to train engineers

Administrators of Thailand’s advanced development zone, the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), announced new partnerships last week to train engineers and expand the pool of workers with hi-tech skills. EEC officials said they would work with Mitsubishi Electric, Burapha University and the Japan External Trade Organization.

The partnerships are the latest in a series of agreements and alliances aimed at growing the numbers of Thais who have the skills to work in and contribute to higher-technology industries. The Kingdom has been investing heavily in physical infrastructure, and policymakers are now giving more attention to upgrading the infrastructure that produces skilled and competitive labor.

“The cooperation project aims to improve human development and technology transfer for Industry 4.0 through the EEC Automation Park and the EEC Human Development Centre located at Burapha University in Chon Buri province,” said Kanit Sangsubhan, Secretary-General of the EEC Office.

Kanit said that Thailand would try to achieve 37,000 workers who have skills appropriate for working in the field of automation over the next five years.

Mitsubishi Electric said it is working with 20 educational institutions to train workers in the skills required to work in the EEC’s Automation Park. The company plans to use its expertise in factory automation and robotic systems to support the park’s growth and development and spur technology innovation.

The Automation Park is slated to open in 2021, and construction is now about 30 percent complete.

“The EEC Automation Park is intended to empower and develop the EEC area and human resources, as well as continuously create specialists in robotics and automation in the park,” Kanit said.

Photo courtesy of https://sites.google.com/a/eng.buu.ac.th/me-eng/automationpark