A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Civil Aviation Training Centre (CATC) and Japanese airport infrastructure company AGP Corporation to establish a new ground support equipment training programme for students in Thailand.
The MoU was recently signed by CATC president RAdm Piya Atmungkun and AGP president and CEO, Eiichi Yamaguchi.
Speaking after the signing, Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said the programme will open next year. It will initially involve training students in airport ground work, such as driving vehicles at an airport and managing baggage conveyor belts.
"Details about the programme have to be finalised between both parties, but early plans include workshops, where AGP will send experts to train CATC staff, to ensure quality for the curriculum," Mr Arkhom said. "We expect to have upwards of 60 students when it opens next year."
Those with Higher Vocational Certificates or higher will be eligible, he added. It will mark the country's first airport ground support programme which has received international collaboration.
The move was carried out to bolster development plans for the Eastern Economic Corridor. "The programme's duration is currently set for one year, where students will be able to familiarise themselves with ground equipment at airports," Mr Arkhom said.
"We need more such workers in the aviation industry."
