The Thailand Professional Qualification Institute (TPQI) has endorsed the International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL) as a global certification that will empower citizens and the digital workforce.
"To drive the government's plans for a value-added economy, digital literacy is important for human resource development, especially for government workers and businesses," said Virchai Srikajon, director of TPQI, a public organisation that promotes professional qualification systems.
TPQI signed a memorandum of understanding with ICDL to endorse its online assessment tools as the institute's standard for digital literacy.
The ICDL certification will be applied in the Digital Literacy Project of the Office of the Civil Services Commission (OCSC) to help government officers develop a digital skill set to work in the digital economy era.
In the first phase, July to December 2017, it expects to have 15,000 officers attain digital literacy certification, mainly high-level officers. Thailand has some 300,000 government officers.
Digital literacy is one of seven skill sets that the OCSC has outlined as required for government officers.
ICDL Thailand executive director Kritkanya Karnchirathan described soft skills improvements as a significant milestone for Thailand in preparation for digital transformation, apart from investment in digital infrastructure and hardware.
ICDL is the international standard in end-user computer skills. The TPQI collaboration covers two tracks of online assessment. The first track is to build a digital citizenry for a digital society, and the second track is to build digital workforce capability for the digital economy.
Mrs Kritkanya said many countries have already adopted digital literacy as one of their citizen skill sets to improve competitiveness and prepare for future workforces. She specified Ireland, Singapore and South Korea.
Digital literacy skills are gaining momentum in organisations such as financial institutions. The standard will also ensure that employees meet international English standards.
In Thailand, thousands of people have attained ICDL certification. Globally there are about 20 million people.
