GTDEE Insight

Examination preparation workshop for apprentices of Pathumthani Brewery Programme

On 19 June, 18 July and 14 August 2024, GTDEE/GTCC organised an intensive training for the PAL final examination part 1, for the industrial mechanics apprentices batch 2023 of the Pathumthani Brewery Programme, in cooperation with Don Bosco Technological College, Pathumthani Co., Ltd. The event followed the roadmap of training and didactic yearly planning to develop technicians based on the German standard dual vocational education and training aboard.

Workshop for mechatronics students batch 2023 at E.Tech

On 26 June 2024, GTDEE/GTCC organised a workshop led by Senior Program Manager Dr. Kamonsak Suradom on how to plan project-based learning development with regards to the sustainability concept of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for mechatronics students at Eastern Technological College batch 2023. The participating students plan to link their activities to SDGs and reduce the carbon footprint from their project.

Examination preparation workshop for Mercedes-Benz Thailand apprentices

on 10 July 2024, GTDEE/GTCC organised a preparation workshop on the PAL final examination part 1 for the Mercedes-Benz Thailand Apprenticeship Programme batch 2023 at the Mercedes-Benz Training Centre in Samut Prakan. This workshop focused on technical competence in automotive mechatronics training, with regards to German standards. In addition to social competence as a sustainability concept, the apprentices learned from case studies, group works, and brainstorming on SDGs. The PAL examination will be held in November 2024.

Monitoring the training of mechatronics students at Don Bosco (pilot programme)

On 6 and 8 August 2024, GTDEE/GTCC organised a mechatronics teachers workshop on how to make an assessment and score in the electrical control system installation. This workshop aimed to transfer knowledge from Germany to Thailand on the assessment competencies for students in the mechatronics programme, under a projectbased learning initiative at Don Bosco Technological College.

Workshop on quality control concepts for apprentices of Robert Bosch Programme batch 2024

On 7 August 2024, GTDEE/GTCC organised a workshop on quality control, based on the German standard, for the Robert Bosch Technologies Thailand Apprenticeship Programme batch 2024, operated in cooperation with Thai-Austrian Technical College’s mechatronics programme. The apprentices attending the workshop were from the Robert Bosch Automotive Technologies Thailand Apprenticeship Programme batch 2024.

Orientation for Chiangmai Beverage Mechatronics Apprentice Programme batch 2024

On 26 August 2024, GTDEE/GTCC organised a workshop to give an introduction to the GTDEE and develop systematic thinking for the Chiangmai Beverage Mechatronics Apprentice Programme batch 2024 (pilot program). A total of nine apprentices participated in the workshop and discussed how to link the theoretical and practical parts of mechatronics. The apprentices plan to start their training at the Chiangmai Beverage Co., Ltd. from October 2024 to February 2025, within their first semester.

Workshop for teachers in automotive mechatronics Examination preparation workshop for BMW Service Apprentice Programme batch 2023

Between 23 and 30 July 2024, GTDEE/GTCC organized a preparation workshop on the PAL final examination part 1 and systematic thinking for BMW Service Training Center, Pathumthani. Participants were trained on how to evaluate competencies in the logbook, and how to re-check the link between practical training in the company and theoretical teaching in the vocational college. This workshop also guided the participants on how to plan the road map by themselves through brainstorming, and experience sharing. By using a holistic learning approach, this German methodological model develops young people in dual vocational education and training related to professional competence, human competence, and social competence. The PAL final examination part 1 of this profession will be held in November 2024.

Workshop for teachers in automotive mechatronics

On 16 August 2024, GTDEE/GTCC, in cooperation with the BMW Service Apprentice Programme of BMW Group Thailand, organised a workshop for automotive teachers on upgrading curriculum content with respect to car technology and sustainability concepts. The participating technical teachers were from partner colleges of the BMW Service Apprentice Programme batch 2024 such as the Chitrlada Vocational School, Don Bosco Technological College, Eastern Technological College, Bangkaewfa Industrial Community Education College, and Banphai Industrial Community Education College. This workshop focused on collaborative activities to develop a didactic yearly plan linked with practical training in theoretical and practical concepts, and the co-creation of teaching aids in electric car systems, according to the Modern Automotive Technology textbook (translated from Europa Lehrmittel).

Online workshop on intergenerational collaboration in dual VET

On 27 August 2024, the GTDEE Senior Manager joined the DIHK workshop on intergenerational collaboration in dual VET, which was led by Stefan Dietl of Robert Bosch GmbH. The workshop focused on topics such as GenZ, and intergenerational learning, and how the young generation is faster, and has ideas about work-life-balance that stem from different perspectives. The participants joined this workshop from AHKs.

GTCC Vocational Education Committee meeting

On 5 September 2024, GTDEE/GTCC organised the first Vocational Education Committee meeting of this year. Topics covered included exchanging updates on activities, workshops, and teacher development, and the plan of further cooperation between Germany and Thailand in vocational education training and development. The meeting also included the introduction of the new Chairman of the Vocational Education Committee, Cholawit Suk-Udom, the Director of Knowledge Management and Talent Development at the Boon Rawd Brewery Co., Ltd.

Participants in the online meeting were from companies and institutions working in the field of vocational education and training, including BMW Service Apprentice Programme, Mercedes-Benz Apprenticeship Programme, Pathumthani Brewery Apprenticeship Programme, Robert Bosch Automotive Technologies Thailand Apprenticeship Programme, Boonrawd Brewery Co., Ltd, Mechatronics Department of Eastern Technological College, Mechatronics Programme of Don Bosco Technological College, and the GTDEE/ GTCC.

Visiting BMW dealers with vocational colleges

Between July and September 2024, GTDEE and technical teachers visited the apprenticeship under BMW Service Apprentice Programme batch 2023 and 2024. These apprentices are involved in practical training at BMW dealers in the Bangkok area. The GTDEE and teachers from Don Bosco Technological College, Bagkaewfa Industrial Community Education College, and Banphai Industrial Community Education College, jointly visited a total of 12 dealers

Final examination in mechatronics part 1

On 11 September 2024, GTDEE/GTCC organised a final examination in mechatronics part 1 for 14 students of Eastern Technological College batch 2023. This examination is based on the PAL final examination in mechatronics, but in level B (local dual VET in line with the German model) under the mechatronics development project at Eastern Technological College. The Examination Committee comprises experts from the Institute of Technology, KMUTNB, GTCC, and independent mechatronics experts from the private sector.

Winning digital game design competitions: Adaptability to changes takes hard skills and cultural understanding

Phacharapol Sanjit

Tell us about the 47th International Skills Competition in France, and how important the competition is to Thailand and the new generation.

WorldSkills is an international organisation that hosts world and national championships for vocational skills every two years. In the past, WorldSkills was known as the International Vocational Training Organisation (IVTO). The purpose of the competition is to demonstrate the importance of various careers, and to improve vocational education. It generates a very positive effect for Thailand, especially in terms of enhancing and creating more skilled labour.

What language did you use in the WorldSkills competition and what was the inspiration for joining the competition?

I can speak English. That is very important because it can affect our results. I think any language barrier is a major obstacle in the competition. Knowing a foreign language helps us understand the culture, thinking, and behaviour of the native speakers of that language, which will be formulised through the challenge modules.

English has been a favourite subject since my childhood, and most of the knowledge available

in the world is also in English. Often, it makes me see the world in a way that’s different from my local friends, and that has become central to my inspirations. First, I want to disseminate knowledge in my field, which is the creation of 3D game models, so that it can be accessed from the vocational certificate level and can be studied intensively at the associate degree level. Children can save almost 2-3 times the cost and can immediately work because it is a practical study. This happens all over the world, especially in the West. However, currently, if Thai children want to study in this field, they must pursue higher education, which I think may not be up-to-date with the world market. Secondly, from the inspiration mentioned earlier, if I want to make that happen, I have to fight, without giving up, and show more patience than any other.

Who are the main competitors in the field of creating 3D digital game models (3D digital game art), and how would you prepare to defeat them?

I divide the main competitors into two types. The first type is the competitor whose strength comes from intense competition in their own country, with a high level of job competition. Thus, they must get a medal only, such as China. The second type is the competitor whose strength comes from their solid and easy-to-access knowledge, such as France, which is famous for its art, and India which has strong vocational institutes. My own strength is the adaption to the situation. Many times I received a task that I had never done before, but I was able to win. As for practical skills or “hard skills” (know-how and skills acquired during training or on the job), it is about using game engines. The point that I have to develop is the image gallery in my head, and I have to study a wider variety of games, including character design.

What was your inspiration to become an E.Tech student, how high is the cost of your current major study, and what equipment do you need for the course?

When I was about to finish Mathayom 3, I had no idea what my life would be like in high school but I encountered the E.Tech college who came to give advice at my high school. Honestly, at that time I didn't think that vocational education could give me this much. But in reality, the college has clear divisions according to careers. I think the expenses for the course are affordable as well. Most importantly, you can pay in installments, which I had never seen before, but here you can. The cost of studying in my major at E.Tech is almost the same as the cost of a provincial high school. As my study is Digital Media and I can use computers equipped with digital cameras. Actually, the college has everything ready for you.

What kind of job will you do after graduation, and what is your dream career?

I would be willing to work as an Environment Artist, responsible for creating scenery, atmosphere, and scenes in games. This is something I am most comfortable with. In the future, I wish to gain more experience to become a Technical Artist as I have some knowledge of the C++ programming language since I have obtained the Certificate in Vocational Education (Por Wor Chor). My dream company is Earthshine Studio (developer of Kingdoms Reborn, a citybuilding game).

What kind of support does the Department of Skill Development, under Thailand’s Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, provide for this competition?

Currently, we have a subcommittee to drive the gaming industry, which is very exciting. I think that if we want the Thai gaming industry to be more sustainable, we need to support people in the country to produce games with Thai IP (intellectual property). Currently, the proportion of Thai IP is shockingly low. Another thing that I have experienced is that we really have a lot of talented people, but the environment is not conducive to forming a game development team in Thailand. Another interesting thing is that if Thailand can form a game development team by registering a cooperative, it will be fruitful. That probably sounds strange, but it really exists. For example, the successful game ‘Dead Cell’ was developed by a cooperative in France, because the cooperative structure fosters small people to create big projects.

Contact details: Phacharapol Sanjit Digital Media graduate, The Eastern College of Technology (E. Tech) Pungpon36@gmail.com