New research by the International Labour Organization (ILO) has identified gaps and opportunities to upskill and reskill young workers in Thailand's construction sector.
On 7 October 2025, government officials, representatives of workers' and employers' organizations, academia and industry leaders gathered in Bangkok to discuss and provide feedback on the initial findings of the ILO-led research. The study focuses on the development of industry-led digital and green skills training and apprenticeship programmes for workers in the 18-29 age bracket. The report is expected by December 2025.
The initiative is part of the ILO's Advancing Digital and Green Skills for Youth in ASEAN project, funded by the Korean Ministry of Employment and Labour, in collaboration with the National Institute of Development Administration, the Thai Constructors' Association, the Department of Skill Development and other government and industry stakeholders.
Participants explored the key research findings, emphasizing the essential digital and green skills needed to prepare young people for employment in Thailand's construction sector, thereby enabling them to secure decent jobs and contribute to society.
Highlighting the importance of tackling youth employment challenges and proactive commitment of Thailand's Tripartite Partners, Hochul Shin, Chief Technical Advisor to the ILO/Korea Partnership Programme, stressed that, "The ILO's primary objective is to provide more decent digital and green jobs in the construction sector for young people in the Asia-Pacific region. It is highly significant that we are taking our first steps in Thailand today. Going forward, I sincerely hope that this initiative will be supported by the active participation and commitment of the Thai government, labour organizations, and employers for the benefit of Thai youth".
Thailand's construction sector is navigating dual pressures from international regulations to reduce its environmental footprint and the need to boost productivity and reduce costs by embracing digital innovation. The country's National Economic and Social Development Plan aims to tackle these concerns by increasing renewable energy, improving energy efficiency and managing waste effectively in achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and net-zero by 2065.
Speaking at the event, Siriwan Romchatthong, Secretary General of the Employers' Confederation of Thailand (ECOT) and Paratthakorn Nilapan, representative of the Thai Contractors Association (TCA), emphasised the importance of the ILO project in highlighting existing skills gaps and potential areas for collaboration of key stakeholders in the industry to encourage Thailand's transition through the timely and important research.
The research findings will serve as a foundation for designing responsive training programmes and regional skills standards, supporting Thailand's transition to a more sustainable and inclusive construction industry.
Lars Johansen, Deputy Director, ILO Country Office for Thailand, Cambodia and Lao People's Democratic Republic, stressed that, "not only is the construction sector facing pressure to shift toward low-carbon practices, it must do so while tackling the challenges of critical labour shortages."
© Jiraporn Wongpaithoon/ILO
