Vocational Education: a German approach

Vocational Education: a German approach

Thailand's vocational education is in need of an upgrade and advice is being sought from Germany. We invited comment from leading educationalist Michael C. Usher. Michael is a UK-origin engineer who has lived in Thailand for almost 20 years. He is managing director of Advanced Technology Thailand Company and has extensive Thai-German educational linkages; previously German Director of King Mongkut University of Technology (KMUTNB) Sirindhorn International Thai-German Graduate School of Engineering (TGGS), a Thai-German cooperation with Aachen University in Germany. He was also previously Director of the vocational training Centre, Thai German Institute (TGI) and is a well-known Management and Cross-Cultural trainer.

What is currently wrong (or missing) in Thai vocational education?

MCU: There are 426 vocational colleges in Thailand under the Office of the Vocational Education Commission (OVEC) plus about the same number of private colleges. Historically, OVEC colleges have experienced a shortage of qualified teaching staff. Last year OVEC requested to employ an additional 14,000 teachers for their colleges to try to overcome the enormous shortfall in teaching staff. The comparatively low level of salaries for teaching staff is particularly sensitive in vocational education, as a competent teacher/trainer can easily get a job in industry with a salary many times higher than that paid in a Thai teacher/trainer position.

Thai vocational training is sometimes criticised for providing inadequate practical training as a result of insufficient equipment for the level of training that is currently needed. Lack of equipment is generally not the problem. Having sufficient motivated and qualified staff is the first and most important step to bringing the system up to an acceptable level.

An additional problem is that most Thai parents do not want their children to learn vocational skills and then work in a factory. They prefer them to take a bachelor's degree which unfortunately may be far above their academic ability. This can result in a poor degree with little hope of getting their dream job. Around 80% of the successful vocational education students also try to aim for a Bachelor's degree which rather defeats the purpose of the vocational training.

The standard of basic education is also important. In 2015 a World Bank Study stated: "one third of 15-year-old Thais are functionally illiterate". However in my opinion with the right vocational training program, a large number of these young people could be successfully trained to become valuable employees in Thailand's modern industry. 

Why is German technical and vocational education so well reputed in the world?

MCU: Germany is recognised in many countries for its excellent engineering skills, particularly in the automotive, construction, mechanical and electrical industries. These and many other industries in Germany utilise a closely monitored Dual Education System which consists of an apprenticeship in the company and part-time education in a technical college. There are very strict regulations and quality controls on the curriculum, and how the apprentices are supervised, both in school and in the work place. Thus a company may only train apprentices when a specially qualified "Meister" is allocated to constantly supervise the apprentices during their training period of two up to three-and-a-half years, depending upon the trade.

I believe one can start as an apprentice and finish up as Herr Doktor, but how?

MCU: In Germany it is indeed possible for someone to start their career as an apprentice and then progress step-by-step to achieve a PhD and possibly even become the Managing Director of the company. This is of course not the norm but does show the value of a quality vocational training not being a cul-de-sac

What would be the main things that support from German technical education services might offer to Thailand?

MCU: The support of Germany with the provision of advice and assistance to provide apprentice training programs is a very important step towards meeting industry's ever growing demand for semi-skilled hands-on staff. Many companies do not see it as their job or are simply not able to provide the basic training for staff before providing company specific training. Additionally, due to the national severe shortage of available semi-skilled personal, many leave the company that trained them for a job somewhere else that appears to offer some minor personal advantages.

Recognition or certification by German organisations of closely monitored vocational education programs is possible. There is also work-in-progress to allow joint degrees for cooperating German/Thai Universities; however this is a very complex subject that will require some changes to the educational regulations and thus will not happen in a short time.  

What involvement has Germany already had in Thai vocational education?

MCU: Over the years Germany has provided a great deal of assistance to Thailand, for example:

- KMUTNB technical university started as a German vocational education project 57 years ago and is today an excellent university with approximately 30,000 students. KMUTNB is also the home of the Sirindhorn International Thai German Graduate School of Engineering (TGGS), a Thai-German cooperation with Germany's Aachen University teaching for Master and Doctor Degrees in several areas of engineering.

- TGI, a very well equipped technical training Centre was created and partially funded by Germany for a period of ten years before becoming a 100% Thai operation.

What is the plan of the German Thai Chamber of Commerce's (GTCC) Dual Educational program? Who would be involved and how is this to be financed?

MCU: The GTDEE program started in 2013, and is primarily financed by the German government. It basically consists of the implementation of curriculum, quality control and the certification of successful students serving apprenticeships in a selected number of companies operating here in Thailand. The number of companies actively involved is currently 10, with a total of 350 apprentices. The first apprentices have successfully completed the course. Such programs are an excellent example of how vocational education can work in Thailand. However, I would like to see similar programs implemented that could benefit the many SMEs in Thailand.

As an educationalist well experienced in the Thai and German systems, what is your reaction to these proposals? Might there be some opposition from any quarter?

MCU: I do not see any opposition to implementing a "German Model" dual education program. Quite the contrary. But I am afraid that there will be a certain amount of reluctance to make some necessary changes to the existing Thai vocational education system and, most important, make the necessary funding available.


Christopher F. Bruton, 45 years in Thailand, is Executive Director of Dataconsult Ltd, a local consultancy. He can be reached at chris@dataconsult.co.th. Dataconsult's Thailand Regional Forum provides meetings, seminars and extensive documentation to update business on present and future trends in Thailand and in the Mekong Region.

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