Emerging Skills Needs for a Greener Economy

1. Emerging Skills Needs for a Greener Economy PuntrikSmiti Deputy Director General of Department of Skill Development Thailand Ministry of Labour

2. Emerging Skills Needs for a Greener EconomyDefinition 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).

3. 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

4. 2. Green awareness-raising and green training - more environmentally-friendly training - incentive for green training * Tax incentive * tax discounts

5. 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

6. Ministry of Labor and Green jobs • Green job training (Department of Skill Development) • Green job placement (Department of Employment) • Green working standards (Department of Labor Protection and Welfare) • The proposed establishment of a “National Green Skills Office” at the Ministry of Labor

7. 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

8. 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

9. Workplace learning supported by the Government • Tax exemption/ tax privileges for human resources development/ training • According to Skill Development Promotion Act B.E. 2545 (2002) • Exemption on corporate income tax to 100% from actual training expenses in academic institute or training institute specified by Ministry of Finance • Exemption on corporate income tax to 100% from actual expenses in in-house training as approved by the Ministry of Labor Legislations related to training

10. 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.

11. 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

12. 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.

13. 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: • 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

14. Thank you 