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Thailand Skills Development Team look to AUT for ideas and support.

Article Summary:
When you have a $US 150,000 project underway to upgrade the skills of a nation, where do you start? The Department of Skills Development (DSD) in Thailand decided to send a team of 50 of its managers to the Auckland University of Technology in July 2000 on the first of a range of courses custom designed to suit their needs.

Article Body:

Thailand Skills Development Team look to AUT for ideas and support.

Press Release: December 2000

When you have a $US 150,000 project underway to upgrade the skills of a nation, where do you start? The Department of Skills Development (DSD) in Thailand decided to send a team of 50 of its managers to the Auckland University of Technology in July 2000 on the first of a range of courses custom designed to suit their needs.

Central to this was a three month Project Evaluation and Benefit Monitoring Course, based on AUT Business Faculty's short workshops " Managing Projects and Innovation in your Organisation" 

Peter Goldsbury who planned and coordinated this course said that his job was easy given the exceptional range of specialist resources from within the AUT team available to help. "We were able to put together a very holistic learning programme for them that supplemented Project Management best practices, with related tools for economic research, statistical needs analysis, benefit monitoring, financial control and best practice business management. These people soaked up everything we could offer them, including English language, presentation skills, the use of internet and software tools".

Other closely integrated one month courses provided by AUT for other groups were run concurrently to help them develop new capability in Skill Demand Analysis, Strategic Planning, Financial Analysis and Instructor Training.Doug Haynes who led The Instructor Training course was able to use the training needs of a Thai restaurant in Auckland for a very applicable and enjoyable case study.

As well as covering the theoretical basis for each area using a range of AUT tutors, participants visited appropriate New Zealand organizations, had guest lecturers, workshops, role plays and case studies that helped them apply their learning to the Thailand situation. During each course they prepared materials to help them present new ideas others in their organizations on their return. On their last day here they had a practice run presenting this in Thai to AUT tutors and their peers in the other groups.

Barbara Kent of the AUT International Office who played a key role in making the programme a success said " We have found that a well planned induction programme and good ongoing support is needed to allow them to quickly settle in and make the most of the learning experience here". All left much more confidence in spoken and written English as a result of having to live in apartments where they had to buy their own food and work with others to cook for themselves. This learning was reinforced by challenging recreational trips and social activities each weekend.

Corrie Cook who arranged the programmes on behalf of the AUT Business Faculty said:"Our experience running a programme last year for a similar Indonesian group with limited English language experience helped us prepare our tutors much better this time and make it even more rewarding for all concerned.." These people came from all corners of Thailand and have a daunting task ahead of them. AUT was honoured to be chosen to support them in this by providing this team learning and building experience."

For more information contact - Corrie Cook Business Development Manager

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