In response to the escalating demand for skilled STEM professionals within the industrial sector to bolster future development, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) initiated STEMPlus as a platform for STEM human resource development and planning. Established by NXPO, STEMPlus platform connects and matches manpower supply and demand by integrating and analyzing data obtained from the educational and industrial sectors, including statistical data on workforce production capabilities from the educational sector, the skill requisites identified by target industries, and benefits and incentives relating to STEM-related human resource development and employment.
STEM One-Stop Service or STEM OSS was set up as a hub for coordinating collaborative efforts by various parties to deliver STEM workforce that meets the requirements of the industrial sector and to support the implementation of Thailand Plus Package. STEM OSS is a joint initiative of NXPO, the Board of Investment (BOI), the Revenue Department, the Office of Permanent Secretary for Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, the Council of Engineering Deans of Thailand and the Council of Science Dean of Thailand.
NXPO President Dr. Kitipong Promwong highlighted endeavors made by multiple agencies to boost workforce proficiency. NXPO has conducted a survey on the future skill sets and talent demands in the target industries from 2020-2024 and published the Premium Job Analysis 2022-2026, whereas BOI and the Revenue Department have introduced investment and tax incentives aimed at promoting workforce development and STEM employment. Meanwhile, the Office of Permanent Secretary for Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation oversees the higher education standardization. Both the Council of Engineering Deans of Thailand and the Council of Science Dean of Thailand coordinate with universities to improve their institutional capacities.
STEMPlus primarily serves three target groups. For enterprises, STEMPlus facilitates talent recruitment and supports employee development through a network of 70 training centers offering as many as 691 training courses. Enterprises can obtain 250% tax deduction for employee development expenses spent on MHESI-certified courses and 150% tax deduction for expenses spent on hiring employees with advanced STEM knowledge. For students and the general public, STEMPlus provides a skill assessment tool and offers opportunities to develop necessary new skills to advance their career path. For training centers, STEMPlus provides accreditation for STEM training courses that develop skills in accordance with future skill set demands.
Dr. Kitipong further unveiled an upcoming STEMPlus event, scheduled for 4 September 2023 at Mitrtown Hall 1, 5th Floor, Samyan Mitrtown. The event, aiming to raise awareness and foster collaboration on workforce development programs and benefits, will feature a seminar with invited speakers from the government, industry and academia and exhibitions of relevant agencies.
