VOCATIONAL EDUCATION: CREATIVE WORKFORCE FOR WISDOM-BASED INNOVATION

Abstract

Thailand is accelerating its transformation towards an innovation-based economy with cooperation from various sectors. However, the country still faces social, economic, and technological challenges. Thailand has adopted the creative economy approach as a development strategy, leveraging its cultural heritage and wisdom to create added value. Nevertheless, it faces declining proportions of creative workforce and low representation in technological creative industries. Education that enables learners to build careers from local wisdom and creative economy encompasses: 1) Promotion of lifelong learning, 2) Guided inquiry learning, 3) Hands-on learning, 4) Teaching Factory Learning (TEFA) integrating production, industry, and services, 5) Utilization of technology, innovation, and Design thinking, and 6) Collaborative Online International Learning. Developing new-generation creative workforce involves enhancing vocational students' and instructors' real-world experience in creative industries, aligning with vocational education policies aimed at producing high-competency graduates. This is supported by: 1) Student enrollment and production capacity, 2) Diversity of professional fields, and 3) Government support. Educational networks for developing local wisdom-based innovations include Rajabhat Universities focusing on curriculum integration and research, vocational education institutes emphasizing practical skills development, and lifelong learning agencies. Approaches to promote creative economy and support Thailand's development towards an innovative nation through education include: developing vocational curricula, improving student quality and instructor readiness, building sustainable industry partnerships, creating economic opportunities, developing ecosystems, establishing funds, and aligning with the National Economic and Social Development Plan to correspond with creative economy initiatives.