Emerging Skills Needs for a
Greener Economy
Puntrik Smiti
Deputy Director General of
Department of Skill Development
Thailand Ministry of Labour
Emerging Skills Needs for a
Greener Economy
Definition of “Green jobs”
 Green jobs are often defined in the literature as works
or positions in sectors (such as agriculture,
manufacturing, services etc) that contribute
substantially to preserving or restoring environmental
equality.
 Green jobs should not be defined narrowly;
the notion of ‘decent jobs’(wages, career prospects, job
security, working conditions and worker rights).
Towards the ‘greener society’
two main approaches
1. Creation of green jobs
- research and development
- professional fields
*engineering and architecture
*project planning and management
*auditing
*marketing
*installing and maintenances
2. Green awareness-raising and green training
- more environmentally-friendly training
- incentive for green training
* Tax incentive
* tax discounts
Thailand’s policy on green jobs
At national level: The 10th National Economic and
Social Development Plan
1. Modification of pattern of production and consumer behavior which
reduce impacts on natural resource base and environment
2. Use of public policy and economic mechanisms to create
environment-friendly goods and services market
3. Reduction of pollution and activities that have impact on the quality
of life
4. Assessment of health and social impact in development projects of
the government or those approved by government for private
management
Ministry of Labor and Green jobs
1) Green job training (Department of Skill
Development)
2) Green job placement (Department of
Employment)
3) Green working standards (Department of
Labor Protection and Welfare)
 The proposed establishment of a “National
Green Skills Office” at the Ministry of Labor
Relevant Departments
 3 Departments are proactively involved in promoting
green jobs:
1. Department of Employment (DOE)
- Organizing green job placement
- Providing work permits for experts in green technology/industries
to facilitate the transfer of knowledge
2. Department of Labor Protection and Welfare
- Ensuring and promoting satisfactory labor standards which
incorporate both decent jobs and green jobs
- Raising awareness for both employers and employees on the
important connection between green jobs and environmental
sustainability
3. Department of Skill Development
- Providing and facilitating green trainings
1) Pre-employment training
2) Workplace training
- Tax incentives through the Skill Development Promotion Act
2002
Workplace learning
supported by the Government
• Tax exemption/ tax privileges
for human resources
development/ training
– According to Skill
Development Promotion Act
Legislations B.E. 2545 (2002)
• Exemption on corporate
related to
income tax to 100% from
actual training expenses in
training
academic institute or
training institute specified
by Ministry of Finance
• Exemption on corporate
income tax to 100% from
actual expenses in inhouse training as approved
by the Ministry of Labor
Workplace trainings and the reduction
of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)
 A partnership between the Department of Skill Development, the
Department of Industrial Works and UNEP
 Main objective: help those providing refrigerator and car air
conditioner repairing and maintaining services to reduce the use of
CFC, the Montreal Protocol.
The proposed establishment of a “National Green
Skills Office” at the Ministry of Labor
 The proposal contains 11 activities as follows;
1. National Green Office staffs training with a view to equipping them
with knowledge in regards to methodology, necessary tools and
technology.
2. Analysis, prioritization and assessment of expectation for green skills
development for Thailand
3. Encouraging Thailand’s close cooperation with other countries (in Asia,
Europe and elsewhere) in developing good practices in green skill
development
4. Proposing policies, action plans and budgets necessary for the
establishment of the National Green Skills Office
5. Launching pilot projects
6. Raising awareness amongst the senior officials in the Senate,
Ministries, Finance institutions, Chamber of Commerce, as well as
officials at the operation level in both public and private sectors
7. Building and operating an information system for green skill
development which may include data collection, database formation,
reporting system and follow-up procedures
8. Recommendations on the establishment of the National Green Skills
Office
9. Designing appropriate curriculum based on green skills development
10. Launching a National Green Skills website
11. Organizing relevant activities to promote green skills development in
both Thailand and in the region.
Emerging Skills Needs for a
Greener Economy: Way Forward
 Tripartite agreement between the Ministry of Labor
(National Green Skills Office), other government
agencies and private sector (employer + employee
organizations)
 Possible green skills development programs:
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Green business (Chamber of Commerce)
Ecotourism (Ministry of Tourism and Sports)
Solar cell installation (Ministry of Industrial Works)
Biodiversity Loss (Ministry of Natural resources and
Environment)
etc
Thank you 