Who Are We
Who Are We Board of Directors of SCG Foundation SCG Foundation Team
Our Programs
Education Opportunity Creation Talented and Potential Development Social Contribution and Project Integration World Class Practice and Compliance
News & Activities Video & Clip Become a donor Contact Us
Idol i do Scholarships Fight COVID-19

Month: December 2023

The “Learn to Earn” concept emphasizes the need for collaboration among all sectors to establish a National Agenda with the opportunity for youth to learn, adjust, and handle a rapidly changing landscape.

Posted on by scgfoundation

The SCG Foundation has continued its efforts to decrease inequality in society by supporting children and members of the youth with scholarships for the past 60 years. At present, the foundation has granted over 100,000 scholarships, with most of them emphasizing education that addresses demand in the labor market. These include scholarships in fields such as medicine and public health, with jobs like nurse’s assistants, and dental assistants, in other fields like industry, particularly in S-curve and New S-curve industry, as well as Information Technology. These efforts are carried out to publicize the Learn to Earn concept, which promotes using education to survive and thrive in an ever-changing world. In its latest development, the SCG Foundation recently held “Learn to Earn: The Forum” to Ignite New Perspectives Among the Youth, a forum for youth members to learn ways to adjust and increase their skills and knowledge, namely in terms of soft and hard skills. The objective of the event was to increase awareness of ways that the youth can thrive in a constantly changing environment and workforce. It was carried out by representatives from both the public and private sectors, with the event featuring 4 Key Drivers in the country, to share their ideas and perspectives on the subject of “Learning to Survive” for Thailand’s Future.” The ideas placed massive importance on developing potential in individuals from all walks, and promoting lifelong learning to result in tangible steps for real-world execution, which will result in sustainable benefits for all individuals.

Mr. Kriengkrai Thiennukul, Chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), shared during the event that the rapid changes we see in the world today have resulted in a direct impact on the industry sector. One such Digital Transformation, as well as a present lack of workers, the latter of which has resulted from an aging society. He added that the only way Thailand can push through these changes is to shift their people into highly skilled labor workers, who are much more in demand in the market. Another suggestion is to focus more on innovation and research work that can solve real-world issues. He also said that the Thai industry scene has shifted to a Next-Generation industry that supports S-curve and New S-curve industry variants. Thus, the most desired skills in these areas are engineering, digital skills, and data analysis.

Dr. Prasarn Trairatvorakul, Chair of the Board of Governance of the Equitable Education Fund (EEF), shared that the solution to the education problem in young children and youth members starts with understanding that there are both groups of students that are still in the system, and those who have already exited the system. For the group that is still in the educational system, it can be apparent that the curricula they are being exposed to do not reflect the working skills required in the modern market. This often results in unemployment. As for the group that has exited the system, he added that these individuals must develop valuable work skills to ensure they are always employed, which he agrees with short-term, career-based learning courses that take 1 year to complete. Such programs guarantee working opportunities after graduation, such as dentist’s or nurse’s assistant programs, both of which are currently in high demand. He also shared that for the management of education among children and youth members, particularly those who have left the system, concerned bodies should encourage them to re-enter the education system. However, if they are unable to bring them back, there needs to be ample opportunities for them to learn even though they have left the traditional system.

Clinical Professor Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn, M.D, President of the Mahidol University Council and Former Minister of Public Health, shared that he believes in encouraging learning to happen anywhere. Several learning institutions are already currently promoting micro credential-based programs, which do not require a long learning duration, and focus more on fulfilling labor market demand. Aside from increasing their chances of being employed, individuals who go through these programs will gain valuable knowledge that can be developed through higher studies. He added that aside from technological skills, critical thinking skills, management skills, and leadership skills, the labor market is also looking for language and communication skills. Personally, he believes that new programs have to be drafted in collaboration with learning institutions and concerned organizations, to ensure that each program truly fits demand in the labor market. He also added that the most suitable programs to tackle the current changes in the market are those that cross between fields of expertise. Combining multiple fields is more suitable for students to broaden their horizons and will be more beneficial, compared to traditional learning methods.

Dr. Phichet Phophakdee, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education Thailand, shared that the main issue we currently face is a mismatch in the production of workers and the kind of workers needed in the market. The Ministry of Education is thus actively working to change this, and is emphasizing learning anytime and anywhere, to speed up the introduction of skilled workers to fit market demand. These efforts also help address the present issue of Thailand’s aging society. The Ministry is working with the FTI to understand the current demands in the labor market, so that it may develop more curricula that reflect these requirements. He added that this has resulted in multiple new programs, which have been met with positive reactions from students, with many of them finding ways to earn while they are studying. Such examples include e-sports programs. The Ministry has also been collaborating with other concerned organizations to promote lifelong learning, he said.

Ms. Preeya Promdaeng, a scholar under the SCG Foundation, believes that the main factor that has led her to this present point of success is an undying belief to keep developing. Driven by a passion to become a teacher, Ms. Preeya wants to pass opportunities and new ideas on to children of the next generation. After receiving first-class honors from her alma mater at the Faculty of Education, Naresuan University, she applied for a teaching position at King’s College International School Bangkok. Even though she majored in the Thai language, she diligently practiced English as something she enjoyed, also sparing some time to study Bahasa Indonesia. At present, she is currently studying German. She added that most of her free time away from teaching is spent finding more opportunities to upgrade her skill set, by reading, consuming media, or participating in activities or contests to expand her perspective and test her current skills. She also partakes in “re-skilling” which refers to putting the things she learns into practice, such as all the languages she has collected, namely Thai, English, and Bahasa Indonesia, as well as other skills that are vital to daily life, such as problem-solving, analytical skills, and general life skills. She also believes in adaptation as a valuable skill, because no matter where a person is, as long as they learn how to adapt to an organization, their lives will become more valuable and purposeful. As for the Learn to Earn concept, Ms. Preeya shared that the mindset is mostly about practicing and developing the skills one is talented at or has an avid interest in, so that these skills can turn into career choices. This begins with adding value to one’s self by upgrading skills, and re-skilling to maintain that value or to improve skills that can be used in the workplace. Once they achieve this, students will truly be able to Earn from Learning happily and sustainably.

The SCG Foundation believes that the quality of human resources is of the utmost importance. If a country wants to develop effectively, the foundation starts with developing people, both in terms of developing their skills and instilling a lifelong learning mindset within them. These factors are no less important than the mandatory education most individuals need to pass through. Aside from these developments, true growth can only be achieved with active collaboration from all concerned parties, to ensure positive long-term effects for society, and to push the country forward into rapid growth. To stay updated on news from the SCG Foundation, visit www.scgfoundation.org and the “LEARNtoEARN” Facebook page.

#LEARNtoEARN #GenWillSurvive #SCGFoundation

The SCG Foundation Ignites a Spark of Interest for the “Learn to Earn” Mindset, Supporting the New Generation to Learn, Survive, and Thrive in Society

Posted on by scgfoundation

The Learn to Earn is a concept that the SCG Foundation established to inspire children, youth, and society to use education to tackle massive, ever-present changes in society. The concept promotes lifelong learning as well as learning outside of the classroom, and has an emphasis on active learning in terms of both hard skills used on the job, as well as soft skills like emotion management and understanding social cues. Learn to Earn is thus tailor-made to support education in the 21st century, and equips youth with occupational skills for the present and future. SCG Foundation is driven to develop improvement and excellence in all individuals, and has strived to accomplish growth in the youth community through this mindset. Learn to Earn fundamentally begins with granting scholarships and skill development programs for the young developer, as well as providing these individuals with opportunities to create occupations for themselves and members of their communities. One such example is the case of Jakkrit ‘Ped’ Tingwang, a youth community worker with SCG Foundation who branched out from environmental conservationism into community tourism management. Ped’s story serves as a prime example of sustainable growth within communities under the Learn to Earn mindset.

Having come from a fishing family, Ped was born and raised in Ao Thung Nui, Ban Lom Puen, La-Ngu subdistrict, located in the La-Ngu District of Satun province. He started his journey following in his father’s footsteps as an environmental conservationist, finding ways to preserve natural resources and local ecosystems. He began with easier activities that did not require much investment, such as collecting garbage along the coastline. Aside from this making the beach look better, another added benefit was that the local community could use the clean space for other activities. However, once the devastating tsunami destroyed most of the local coastline and surrounding areas of the bay, Ped was driven to help his community’s leaders and locals by replanting forests to restore the ecosystem. He also had the dream of developing Ao Thung Nui into an ecological learning site, where his community could also earn more from increased jobs, while preserving nature. This place was historically an ecological tourist site in Satun, as it featured 3 different kinds of ecosystems: the mangrove forests on land, forests by the beach, and the coastline that had been teeming with life.

Ped shared that he places a direct emphasis on environmental sustainability when managing his community tourist site, as well as preserving ecosystems. He also prioritizes the social and cultural aspects, as the community has actively participated in the planning, execution, and responsibilities of the site, all to maximize the value created for the community. The funds earned from increased tourism would be used as tools to develop the local community further, and create information exchanges and connections with those who visit. And, most notably, the tourist site will also strengthen the locals’ efficiency in managing resources, in terms of the environment, society, culture, and community economy.

Aside from turning the surrounding land into community tourist sites, Ped has also joined hands with locals to establish 4 tourist programs within the site, which consist of the natural passageway down the mangrove forest coastline, a route within the community itself, a Satun geopark, and a beach route. The programs are complete with lunch and snacks which are made locally. During their visit, guests can also buy locally-made products, which serve as income for villagers to support themselves and their families. Other examples of activities include an ecological learning site in the Ao Thung Nui area, and Punya Batik, a well-known producer of Batik fabric in Ban Pak La-Ngu that features the first tie dye fabric in Thailand, made from the colors of local soil. Tourists can also board boats to visit Ko Lidi, an island within the Mu Ko Phetra National Park that is abundant in natural ecosytems, such as mountainous forests, mangrove forests, and interestingly shaped rock formations. The island is also home to stunning beaches and a “time-traveling” bridge that transports tourists back to a time before humans existed. Part of this route includes a guided tour of ancient Cambrian age and Ordovician age rocks.

Not limiting himself to his own career growth, Ped has always been driven to develop his community at the same time. It is his aim to make everyone feel a sense of accomplishment and inclusion at the community tourism site. For example, children and youth members have been trained as information givers along the site, known as “little tour guides.” They are tasked with providing tourists with information about the community, and are paid for their efforts, as a way to foster a strong work ethic from a young age. Doing so also helps the youngsters put their free time to good use, by staying far away from sources of dangerous vices. As for elders in the community, they are responsible for educating tourists about traditional practices. Working-aged community members help run the operation, as the central force behind people and income development for the community in a sustainable way. Ped’s incredible work ethic and display of the Learn to Earn mindset has earned him the position of Community Tourism President, by CBT Satun (Community-Based Tourism). He has also received an award for community tourism achievements in 2023 from Satun Community College. Today, Ped is still active in creating value from ecological tourism and community efforts in Ao Thung Nui, Ban Lom Puen, in Satun, growing it economically, socially, and environmentally.

Ms. Suvimol Chivaluk, Director and Manager of the SCG Foundation, added in relation to the foundation’s efforts for the Learn to Earn concept that the efforts come from “a drive to develop this land into a community tourism site that has resulted in increased opportunities for locals of all walks to gain income for themselves and their families. This results in a decrease in the need for youngsters in the community to travel to the main city area to seek employment, which places a great emphasis on developing their homeland, while growing their knowledge and skills. These efforts also come from a hope to develop their home into a place where they can earn, creating careers for several locals in the process, which directly reflects the Learn to Earn concept that SCG Foundation has always placed importance on. Learning does not have a set pattern, the same way we don’t all work in the same career path we studied for. Rather, it is a present desire to always learn and adjust to the world, and a willingness to turn this knowledge into value, that results in a person’s ability to thrive in their community. Ped’s story serves as a wonderful example of someone who can inspire the community and other youth members to Learn to Earn.”

The SCG Foundation is committed to bolstering Learn to Earn by encouraging all concerned parties to increase awareness of the opportunities created from the mindset. This starts with youth members, parents, teachers, and thought leaders in society, who may all join in to shift the traditional ways of learning. These efforts are carried out with the goal of inspiring the next generation, as well as all people, to learn how to survive and thrive in an ever-changing world. To stay posted on news and updates from the SCG Foundation, visit www.scgfoundation.org and the “LEARNtoEARN” Facebook page.

#LEARNtoEARN #GenWillSurvive #SCGFoundation