Manpower Development Direction of the Ceramic Industry in the Northern Region

Abstract

The purposes of this research were: 1) to study manpower production situation in the ceramic industry in the Northern Region 2) to study manpower development direction in the Northern Region ceramic industry and 3) to study manpower development strategies in the Northern Region ceramic industry. by using multi-method, the researcher uses both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The populations consist of academics from ceramic field and manpower in ceramic industry. The data is collected by questionnaires, focus group and interviews. The findings of this research were as follows: 1. Regarding to manpower production situation, large factories tend to have more potentials in manufacturing, experiences, and networks. However, small factories have more agility in both business and human resource administration. Most higher education institutions have developed ceramics courses, still the courses have not met the entrepreneurs’ needs due to the downward trend in Thai economy. Moreover, price competition causes the reduction of production capacity and manpower, and affects the career path of ceramic makers. Therefore, the new generation tends to work outside the factories, and lack of interests in studying ceramics courses which leads to the shortage of manpower in this industry. 2. There were 2 major issues according to manpower development direction in the Northern Region ceramic industry namely the direction of manpower potential development and the direction of manpower management development. 3. Manpower development strategies of the Northern Region ceramic industry were proposed in 4 aspects: 1) the development of manpower productions to improve manpower skills such as, problem-solving skills, technological skills, science and material knowledge, and innovation management skills, 2) the manpower development through enhancing manpower competencies and new entrepreneur creation, 3) the development of management system to create administrative management Prototype, and 4) the development of unique ceramic products by using creative skills.