About TPQI

           Thailand Professional Qualification Institute (Public Organization) was established in 2004 under the proposal of the Office of Vocational Education Commission (OVEC.) and the Office of the National Economic and Social DevelopmentBoard, also known as NESDB. The Federation of Thai Industries has proposed to the Prime Minister about the need for an organization to be the focal point for the to collaboration between the private sector and the government sector in enhancing skills, knowledge, and competence of the country’s workforce in accordance with the real needs and demand of the industry which emphasize competency in order to compete in a competitive and skills-driven global economy. Professional qualification framework will be then used as a basis for determining the level of professional qualification based on occupational standards.

           The Prime Minister hasapproved and assigned the Ministry of Education to establish “Thailand Professional Qualification Institute (Public Organization)” and draft “The Royal Decree of Establishmentof the Thailand Professional Qualification Institute (Public Organization)” and propose to the Cabinet for consideration. However, due to unclear mission and goals which may overlap with the Ministry of Labor roles and responsibilities, the initiative is put on hold.

           In 2008, the government announced the second decade of education reform policy (2009 - 2018) with the objective to support creation and development of workforce in accordance with structural transformation in agriculture, industry, trade and services. As a result, professional qualifications which meet international standards has been introduced as a tool to measure the knowledge and skills of a person based on professional qualification framework which determine competencies required for each level of professional qualification in accordance to occupational standards..

           This initiative will support professional groups in the development of occupational standards which meet labor market’s need and drive the country towards a knowledge economy based on knowledge and innovation..

           The “Competency” must be systematically measured with a “standard” which can be used as a tool to develop the country’s workforce effectively. This will help promote and support public sector or government agencies in developing workforce which meets market demands; thus, improving the country’s competitiveness.

           The Office of Vocational Education Commission (OVEC.) proposed to establish Thailand Professional Qualification Institute (Public Organization) to develop the professional qualifications system in accordance to the second decade of the education reform policy and knowledge economy. bydrafting “The Royal Decree on the Establishment of the Thailand Professional Qualification Institute (Public Organization) for the Ministry of Education to propose to the Cabinet to approve the legal procedure. The Royal Decree has been enacted on March 30, 2011, as appeared in the Government Gazette, Volume 128, Part 21 A, Page 5, with the Secretary-General of the Vocational Education Commission acting as the Director and commenced operations following the appointment of the chairman and executive committee by the Cabinet on April 2, 2012. Later, director of the Thailand Professional Qualification Institute took position on June 18, 2012 and manage works until the present.

           Realizing the sustainable development of the country, human resource development is a very important component for economic and social development, including enhancing both regional and global competitiveness. As a result,TPQI was established according to “The Royal Decree of Establishment of Thailand Professional Qualification Institute (Public Organization) in 2011 and announced in the Government Gazette on March 30, 2011 as a government agency under the supervision of the Prime Minister to develop the national professional qualifications system and support professions or professional groups in the development of occupational standards which meet international standards, accredit organizations responsible for certifying a person’s competency according to occupational standards, and acts as an information center for professional qualifications systems and occupational standards in accordance with the 11th National Economic and Social Development Plan (2012-2016), Strategy 2, Development of a sustainable lifelong learning society.

           In fostering a sustainable lifelong learning society, TPQI has developed a professional qualifications system and occupational standards through collaboration with all relevant sectors both public and private at national and international levels including supporting entrepreneurs in various professional fields and stakeholders for participation in the development of occupational standards and competency assessment guidelines which is used to assess and certify a person’s competency according to occupational standards in order to obtain professional qualification certificates and certificates of occupational standards both those with educational qualifications and without educational qualifications, but have work experience and professional expertise, to be prepared for the free movement of labor in the ASEAN Economic Community.