Most skilled workers lack understan

Most skilled workers lack understanding of AEC survey
Posted in: AEC English Article 16 กุมภาพันธ์ 2555
More than half of the skilled labourers and professionals in Thailand lack a good
understanding of the upcoming Asean Economic Community, according to an in-depth
survey by University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), and not many of those
polled see how it will benefit them.
The AEC will result in the free flow of skilled labour within Asean member countries after it comes
into effect in 2015. Skilled workers and professionals are expected to flow into the Kingdom,
especially from Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines. Service careers such as nursing and
dentistry are expected to see particular movement, resulting in high competition in the local
workforce.
Assistant Professor Aat Pisanwanich, director of the Centre for International Trade Studies at UTCC,
said in-depth interviews had been conducted with seven or eight respondents from each of six
service careers that are under the Asean Mutual Recognition Arrangement on Services. They are
dentistry, medicine, nursing, accountancy services, engineering and architecture.
Aat said Thailand had yet to prepare for the new challenges that will be presented by the AEC.
He said the survey found that only 50 per cent of dental practitioners in Thailand had a good
understanding of the AEC and most of them saw no real benefit from it to their careers.
More than 50 per cent of medical practitioners did anticipate some benefits from the AEC.
However, they preferred to stay in Thailand rather than other Asean countries because of the
Kingdom’s high standards of medical services. They also don’t want to have to adjust to new
cultures. Many want to go to developed countries in North America or Europe when they upgrade
and grow their career paths.
“Nursing and dentistry will be the most worrying careers, as they will be challenged by inbound
professionals from the Philippines and Europe respectively,” Aat said.
He said that according to the survey, only 20 per cent of nurses had a good understanding of the
AEC and recognised its benefits. They also had little interest in working abroad, particularly in
Asean countries. About 80 per cent of accountants had a good understanding of the AEC, but only
half of them saw any real benefit in it.Only 30 per cent of engineers understood the AEC well, and only 10 per cent saw it as beneficial.
Thai engineers work to comparable standards to Singapore and the Philippines, but they have a
disadvantage in terms of English-language ability.
Half of Thai architects still lack a good understanding of the AEC and recognise its benefits.
However, they see it as a good opportunity to work abroad, especially in Brunei, Cambodia, Laos,
Myanmar and Vietnam. Aat said the government should educate skilled labourers and
professionals on the benefits and opportunities of the AEC before it kicks in.