depa is accelerating its efforts to promote the development of Thailand’s digital workforce. The agency has introduced the Digital Skill Roadmap, aiming to enhance digital knowledge and skills for all Thai citizens, across all groups and age ranges, covering 67 million people. The plan also focuses on preparing individuals for new careers in nine future industries and promoting advanced digital skills in professions where Thailand currently faces a shortage.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin, President/CEO of the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa) revealed that one of key missions is the promotion of digital workforce development in multiple dimensions. This includes fostering essential digital skills, such as coding, among Thai children and youth, creating e-learning platforms through partnerships with private sector networks, and promoting digital skills and knowledge for the elderly, people with disabilities and disadvantaged groups.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Nuttapon further stated that in 2025, depa will implement its plans through the Digital Skill Roadmap to expand the development of the digital workforce, covering all 67 million people in Thailand. The approach will shift from training-based initiatives to a more systematic framework. The first program is Digital Skill for ALL, which aims to enhance digital literacy among Thai citizens. This includes basic computer skills, proper use of smartphones and applications, and awareness of data security and privacy rights, all provided through an open e-learning platform.
The next initiative is Digital-driven Career, which aims to accelerate the promotion and support of digital skills for new careers include; 1) Gaming Industry, such as Game Designers, Game Developers, Esports Athletes, Casters, Commentators and more, 2) Animation Industry including Animators and Animation Developers, 3) Character Industry, such as Character Designers, 4) Digital Farmers, 5) Digital Influencers, 6) Digital Entrepreneurs, 7) Digital Administrators, 8) Data Administrators and 9) Digital Marketers.
“For careers in the Gaming, Animation, and Character Industry, depa will implement a nationwide initiative in 2025. It will begin by enhancing the skills and knowledge of at least 50,000 individuals interested in these three industries. They will then enter the Accelerate process to further develop and refine their professional skills, ensuring they truly understand and access these careers. Afterward, depa will facilitate partnerships with the private sector for real job placements. Promoting these nine future career fields is aimed at encouraging the learning of essential digital skills and offering new career opportunities for Thai citizens. Some of these fields may not yet be taught in classrooms or included in the formal education system.” said the President/CEO of depa.
The final initiative is Digital Professional, which focuses on promoting digital skills for professions that are in short supply in Thailand. These include fields such as Data and AI, Blockchain Engineering, 5G Technology, Quantum Computing, and Cloud Innovation.
Additionally, depa promotes employment and skill development for businesses and the public through tax incentives. Businesses that send employees for training in depa-certified digital courses, including those recognized by partner networks, can deduct 250% of the training expenses from their corporate income tax. Furthermore, businesses can deduct 150% of the first 12 months’ salary for new graduates in digital fields from their corporate income tax. For individuals, 100% of the registration fees for digital courses can be deducted from personal income tax. depa will also subsidize 70% of the digital skill development costs for students, graduates, and unemployed individuals.
depa hopes that the approach to developing digital skills for Thais will significantly contribute to increasing job opportunities for people and drive business growth in the country, leading to ongoing economic expansion. depa is committed to working towards a better future for Thais and advancing Thailand’s digital economy to a world-class level, in line with the vision: We work smart every day to build a world-class digital economy and to help people perform better, think faster, and live better.