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MAPPING OF CAREER GUIDANCE SERVICES AND INTERVENTIONS FOR ADOLESCENTS AND YOUTH IN THAILAND The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the author and of a multiplicity of actors interviewed for this research project, and do not necessarily reflect the views of UNICEF. Permission to copy, disseminate or otherwise use information from this publication is granted so long as appropriate acknowledgement is given. Disclaimer: The material in this report was commissioned by UNICEF Thailand Country Office. UNICEF accepts no responsibility for errors. The findings, interpretations and views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of UNICEF. Suggested citation: UNICEF, Mapping of Career Guidance Services and Interventions for Adolescents and Youth in Thailand. UNICEF, Bangkok, 2022 Front photo credit: UNICEF/Sukhum Preechapanich/2020 Design and layout: Tanat Supichayangkun Acknowledgements The study Mapping of Career Guidance Services and Interventions for Adolescents and Youth in Thailand was commissioned by the Young People’s Section of UNICEF Thailand. The report was written by Patporn Phoothong and edited by Laura Evans. Vilasa Phongsathorn and Ilaria Favero coordinated and provided overall technical guidance to the development of this research project. Special thanks go to every adolescent and youth, policy maker, and service provider who generously shared their views, opinions and voices, thus contributing to the richness of the findings. It is hoped that these voices will be heard and will inform the design of effective career guidance services and interventions for all adolescents and youth in Thailand. Mapping of Career Guidance Services and Interventions for Adolescents and Youth in Thailand 1 Executive Summary Young people in Thailand are facing critical issues that increase their vulnerability, decrease their resilience, and limit the realization of their rights. In Thailand, youth transition to decent work remains problematic, with nearly 15 per cent of Thai adolescents and youth aged 15-24 not in education, employment, or training (NEET).1 NEETs are at higher risk of being socially and economically excluded and are more likely to become vulnerable in the long term. Career development support can play a fundamental role in enhancing individuals’ skills in managing learning, work, leisure, as well as transitions over a lifetime (ILO and ETF, 2021). Specifically, career guidance, counselling and information can help achieve: 1. Lifelong learning goals: Combating early school leaving and ensuring an adequate knowledge and skills base to meet the challenges in creating knowledge-based societies in the context of economic globalization, and promoting adequate linkages between education, training and the world of work. 2. Labour market outcomes: Reducing mismatches between supply and demand for labour, dealing with unemployment and improving labour mobility. 3. Social equity and social inclusion goals: Promoting reintegration of marginalized and at-risk groups into education, training and employment and mainstreaming of excluded groups into general training programmes and labour market services (Hansen, 2006). Given Thailand’s human capital development ambitions, career development support is key to the implementation of lifelong learning, active labour market policies and instrumental to successfully achieve social and economic targets. In Thailand, career guidance for adolescents and youth is considered a key element for future labour force th preparation and the country’s economic growth, as stated in the draft 13 National Economic and Social Development Plan (2023-2027) and the Thai Labour Action Plan (2020-2022). It is associated with the promotion of employment, and the preparation and development of workers to be productive and equipped with skills, competencies and characteristics aligned with labour market demands. The provision of career guidance is meant to address labour shortages caused by: 1) a shortage of skills and knowledge that match the needs of the labour market; 2) an ageing society; and 3) a lack of labour force preparation at all ages and education levels (Department of Employment, 2016b). To ensure the development of evidence-based career guidance support interventions in the country, it is critical to understand what existing career guidance services are available to adolescents and youth in Thailand, as well as identify gaps, challenges, and opportunities, to gain insights into how career guidance can be delivered more effectively in the country. The study Mapping of Career Guidance Services and Interventions for Adolescents and Youth in Thailand aims to provide a landscape analysis of career guidance services and interventions currently operating in Thailand and recommendations for UNICEF and its partners to support the improvement and promotion of career guidance services in the country. 1 Over 1.4 million young people aged 15-24 in Thailand are NEET (ILO, 2020), 70 per cent of whom are females (TDRI, 2020). 2 Mapping of Career Guidance Services and Interventions for Adolescents and Youth in Thailand
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