STRATEGIES FOR ENHANCING HUMAN SKILLS IN THAILAND’S PREFABRICATED CONSTRUCTION COMPONENT MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY UNDER THE LEGAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION

Abstract

This study aims to 1) Assess the current workforce status and digital skills gap within Thailand’s precast construction component manufacturing industry; 2) Examine legal, regulatory, and policy factors related to digital technologies that influence labor skill development demands; 3) Develop and propose strategic frameworks for enhancing workforce competencies in alignment with emerging technologies and the digital legal framework; and 4) Recommend policy and practical applications to support human capital development at both organizational and national levels. A mixed-methods research design was employed, comprising both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The quantitative phase surveyed 150 respondents from 200 technologically advanced precast manufacturing factories in Bangkok Metropolitan Region and the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), using the Krejcie and Morgan (1970) sampling method. The qualitative phase involved in-depth interviews with 18 key stakeholders, including officials from the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (MDES), Ministry of Labour, skill development institutions, industry associations, executives from construction component firms, and consultants in technology and human resources, using the Delphi technique.

The findings reveal a significant digital skill gap, with 55% of the labor force lacking essential digital competencies, despite rapid technological advancements in the industry—growing at a projected rate of over 4% annually from 2024 to 2028. Key regulatory bodies such as MDES, the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA), and the Personal Data Protection Committee (PDPC) play critical roles in establishing digital standards and governance. Strategic recommendations include specialized digital training programs, public-private collaboration mechanisms, and tax incentives for skill enhancement. These align with Thailand 4.0 policy, which emphasizes workforce preparedness for digital transformation, thereby enabling industrial resilience and sustainable human resource development.