Thai Civil Servants 'lacking In It Skills'

[george]

Thai civil servants 'lacking in IT skills'

BANGKOK: -- Thai government workers fail to come up to scratch on vital information and communications technology (ICT) skills, posing a major obstacle to plans to develop 'e-government' services, according to a survey published yesterday.

The survey by Chulalongkorn University's Sasin Graduate School of Business Administration found that the ICT skills of government workers were well below the desired level, particularly when it came to the use of databases, presentation programmes, ICT information skills and even basic ICT skills such as computer maintenance and security.

The only programme in which the workers appeared to have any reasonable skill level was Microsoft Word, with even basic email skills such as attaching files distinctly lacking.

Advocating urgent measures to redress the skills shortage, the report noted that requirements for all civil servants to be able to use computers are becoming even more important with the government trying to introduce across-the-board 'e-government' services.

The survey was based on questionnaires from 1,900 government workers, all of whom described themselves as computer users, which were then compared with data from the United Kingdom, Singapore and the US.

The report also noted that the vast majority of government ICT workers did little more than system support, and rarely developed any original work, despite good intentions to continually develop their ICT skills.

Obstacles to skills development among government ICT workers were listed as poor remuneration, huge diversity of work that ICT workers are required to cover, and increasing tendencies to outsource government work.

Moreover, many government ICT workers failed to hold positions whose seniority reflected their skill levels.

The survey was commissioned by the National Electronic and Computer Technology Centre (NECTEC), which hopes to use the report as a basis from which to develop ICT skills among Thai civil servants.

-- TNA 2004-09-15

[Darth Bangkok]

shocking

[Ijustwannateach]

Typical, typical. Expect a bunch of people who mostly can't even afford a computer at home to have all sorts of fancy software skills- from where? How and when were they supposed to have gotten them? Mind, this is not that much different in the states in terms of employers' neglect of employee development. They're all just supposed to magically use all that unpaid free time to develop themselves as employees.

"Steven"

[ovenman]

The survey by Chulalongkorn University's Sasin Graduate School of Business Administration found that the ICT skills of government workers were well below the desired level, particularly when it came to the use of databases, presentation programmes, ICT information skills and even basic ICT skills such as computer maintenance and security.

I guess this means that Thailand is going hold off on the idea of becoming the hub of e-government for a little while.

[stumonster]

maybe they should add it as one of the requirements for the job.....rather than just having a lation giving them the job

[penzman]

A new user interface that looks like SOLITAIRE would do wonders.

[britmaveric]

More opportunities for Falangs! (granted that would be too easy a solution for Thai Govt)

[Dove]

It is not at all surprising as there is still a shortage of computers in many goverment departments and many do not read english and are unable to keep up to date. Most would also like to use software in Thai. Software books translated into Thai area are also a little behind time.

Further why bother with computers when labor is so cheap. Should they bother when it could mean their jobs at risks-just look at their neighbour Singapore.

When I did my computer studies in the late 70s, we were taught that the industry would create more jobs and with automation life would be better. In a way that is a myth. Many people today have lost their jobs because of automation. Many are stressed because they cannot keep up with the workload processed by the computers and employers cutting down on operating cost by retrenching.

Perhaps being not computer savy is a blessing.

[chingy_]

in thailand is who you know, not what you know to get the job, thats explain everything

[Narachon]

in thailand is who you know, not what you know to get the job, thats explain everything

Very true, and not only in Thailand, just about anyplace in the world.

[Limbo]

Several years ago an enormeous project was launched. All schools in Thailand got computers (even a couple of hundred schools without electricity).

In the school were I volunteered, they started to use them within a year.

At first were the games. The teachers played them during the lunchbreak.

So at that moment they learned how to switch on and off, how to go to a program and how to use the mouse. You have to start somewhere, don't you?

Last time I visited they even had a printer, which enabled them to use the computer for writing letters etcetera.

Soon they will be able to use the computers to make study materials.

It is a pity that the computers are getting old now, but a start is made.

When the school will get a budget for a telephone-line, they even will have the possibility to hook up to the internet.

[stumonster]

At first were the games. The teachers played them during the lunchbreak.

So at that moment they learned how to switch on and off, how to go to a program and how to use the mouse. You have to start somewhere, don't you?

When the school will get a budget for a telephone-line, they even will have the possibility to hook up to the internet.

games is a good way to start the interest in computers and its lets users become familiar with the interface.

instead of a telephone connection to the internet I think the should look at wireless networks that can be connected into a high speed backbone.

[Darknight]

Even IT personel lack standard It skills

What do you expect from the office workers ??

[ASIC]

Maybe they could start by educating the morons that run the ISPs?

ASIC