As the impact of the COVID-19 crisis continues to disrupt ASEAN economies and labour markets, innovative policy responses to connect job seekers to available labour market opportunities, including through digital technology, are needed. The Young Futuremakers Thailand project, supported by the Standard Chartered Foundation, collaborated with the Rayong Provincial Employment Office to hold a joint online job fair on 13-14 August 2021. The online job fair leveraged the government's Smart Job Center website in combination with Line application to offer 3,681 job vacancies and provided a platform for 46 employers and 2,052 job seekers including youth, to engage. During the event, the Young Futuremakers project and the Rayong Provincial Employment Office hosted three online information sessions through social media platforms. The sessions moderated by the ILO, focused on the recruitment process, employment opportunities and skills that will be beneficial to jobseekers in a changing world of work.

The first session focused on the preparation for a job interview and the interview process. Panellists included representatives from the Rayong Provincial Employment Office, Standard Chartered Bank and a youth representative. The discussion highlighted how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed jobseekers' recruitment and interview process, with companies increasingly focusing on digital and IT skills than before.

The second session concentrated on employers' perspectives on the future of work in Thailand and the skills needed by jobseekers. Representatives from the Rayong Provincial Employment Office, Employers' Confederation of Thailand and a youth representative took part in the discussion and emphasized the role of core skills such as communication, critical thinking, digital skills, and green skills as skills necessary for jobseekers, especially young workers, to prepare them for the future of work in Thailand.

The third session focused on persons with disabilities and the world of work in Thailand. Panellists included representatives from the Rayong Provincial Employment Office, Transportation for All, Social Innovation Foundation and a youth representative. During the discussion, panellists highlighted the importance of openness between persons with disabilities, colleagues and employers as key to inclusion at the workplace.

For further information, please contact:

Ms Kawita Niwatananun
National Project Coordinator
Young Futuremakers Thailand – Promoting Youth Employability
Email: