The pilot Pathumthani Brewery Apprenticeship Programme 2021: Trainer and teacher perspectives

Sorathorn Sainak, Don Bosco Technological College, and Anucha Chooputpong, Pathumthani Brewery

The German-Thai Dual Excellence Education (GTDEE) programme has been focusing on the development of standard German vocational education in partnership with participating companies and colleges for over a decade. In the programme, the apprentice will be trained in practical skills along with theoretical study in order to be able to work immediately after completing the course.

In 2021, the GTDEE launched a pilot adaptation to address the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and consequently integrated this content into Pathumthani Brewery Apprenticeship Programme 2021. To have the apprentice educated on a total of 17 goals, formulated by the United Nations in 2015 and aimed to achieve by 2030, is a good start, although it is merely a movement by the small agencies to encourage the apprentice to have knowledge, analytical skills and mindset that facilitate the application of essential SDGs knowledge and awareness of sustainable development in the aspects relevant to these goals.

Today, we had the opportunity to interview Mr. Sorathorn Sainak, a participating teacher, and Mr. Anucha Chooputpong, a participating in-company trainer, on the programme's content adaptation to promote sustainable development.

Mr. Sorathorn Sainak, Head of DVET Programme, Don Bosco Technological College

Educational institutions must provide theoretical education while also actively fostering practical learning through in-class or outdoor activities in order to achieve Thailand's Sustainable Development Goals. To raise the students’ awareness on social, economic, and environmental issues is therefore essential. It can begin with something that students are capable of and familiar with, such as activities to promote environmental values, which require collaboration from all parties in educational institutions. Campaigns such as 3R (Reduce- Reuse-Recycle), plastic waste reduction, public transportations and travels are all must-do activities. Meanwhile, educational institutions also have to manage the ecosystem to ensure its hygiene as I believe that a healthy atmosphere reflects the health and well-being of all students.

In the industrial sector, current manufacturing processes are also performed in a sustainable manner.

Mr. Anucha Chooputpong, In-Company Trainer, Pathumthani Brewery Apprenticeship Programme 2021:

When people first hear about education for sustainable development, they think it maybe a broad topic, but in fact, this kind of knowledge has long been present in Thai society, such as the use of local materials to make food containers, the subsistence that ensures long-term food supply, and community's interdependence between humans and nature.

In the industrial sector, current manufacturing processes are also performed in a sustainable manner. As an in-company trainer, I have discovered that it is critical to consider every element of the profession while training the apprentice to acquire essential skills. It is especially important to consider cost-effectiveness, durability, safety, and environmental friendliness when selecting materials or equipment for machine maintenance on the 3R also. These are the competencies that are crucial to help the company reach its sustainable development objectives.

We are very fortunate to have the partnership with Don Bosco Technological College and GTCC, which emphasizes those abilities that go beyond fundamental knowledge and skills in the technician field. It improves the quality of the youth that participates in our Pathumthani Brewery Apprenticeship Programme 2021.

Contact details: Sorathorn Sainak, Don Bosco Technological College chandb02@gmail.com, Anucha Chooputpong, Pathumthani Brewery Co., Ltd. anucha_c@boonrawd.co.th

Interviewed by Dr. Kamonsak Suradom, GTDEE Senior Manager, GTCC