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Abstract
This research studies required skills and qualifications for front-line workers, supervisors, and technician in the electronic industry. Utilizing qualitative research method, the research collected data through conducting interviews, involving 16 participants from 10 electronic assemblers. Through thematic analysis, major findings are as follows. Front-line workers are required to have general skills, including the abilities to follow standardized work, multiple skills, literacy, work improvement, accuracy, teamwork, problem identification skill, articulation skill, continuous improvement skill, decision making skill, machine operational skill, communication, and reporting skill. Some specific skills required from front-line workers include soldering skill and optical inspection skill. Meanwhile, supervisors are required to have general skills, namely work process skill, problem solving skill, managerial skill, monitoring skill, communication skill, coaching skill, directing skill, leadership skill, and motivation skill. Technicians need to have general skill, namely electric and mechanic fundamental skill, machine operational skill, maintenance skill, English skill, and critical thinking and ability to learn. Apart from such skills, front-line worker, supervisor, and technician are required to have other qualifications, including, discipline, responsibility, honesty, system thinking, self development, and delegation to work. In addition, there are some personal characters detrimental to working in the electronic industry, such as lack of self discipline, insufficient saving, and low sense of future oriented. To enhance skill development, this study suggests that co-operation between the government and the private sector should be promoted further, in particular the co-operative education, so-called 'dual educational system'. For the government's role on skill development, key improvement should be the more focus on developing skills that suits the industry's needed. Meanwhile, educational institutions should do more in nurturing and developing proper manners and attitudes, such as discipline, responsibility, and honesty for the young Thais so that they possess proper qualifications and ready to work in the electronic industry.
Keywords: general skill, specialized skill, qualification, personal character
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