An exploratory study of digital workforce competency in Thailand

Area of Science:

• Digital Workforce Competencies
• Information Technology (IT) Labor Market
• Higher Education Curriculum Development

Background:

• Industry 4.0 and digitalization significantly impact IT job roles and labor demand.
• A critical gap exists between university output and industry's need for skilled digital workers.
• Thailand's 2017-2021 national agenda highlighted the importance of digital workforce competency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and analyze essential competencies for Thailand's digital workforce.
• To bridge the gap between academic IT training and industry expectations.
• To inform curriculum adjustments for higher education institutions.

Main Methods:

• Phase one involved literature review and qualitative interviews with 30 IT experts to identify 24 core competencies.
• Phase two utilized a survey of 260 IT experts, analyzing responses with Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA).
• Competencies were categorized into Professional skills and IT knowledge, IT technical, and IT management and support.

Main Results:

• The study identified 24 essential competencies for the digital workforce.
• Professional skills and IT knowledge emerged as the most expected competency category.
• Top desired skills include lifelong learning, personal attitude, teamwork, dependability, and IT foundations.

Conclusions:

• Higher education institutions in Thailand should adapt IT curricula based on identified industry needs.
• Graduates require specific competencies, including soft skills and foundational IT knowledge, to meet labor market demands.
• The findings offer valuable insights for aligning academic programs with the evolving digital economy.