Pearson : to Launch Vocational Qualifications in Thailand

London, 17 July 2018 - Pearson, the digital education company, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), the Thai economic development body, to develop and implement BTEC-based career-focused programmes for learners within the EEC provinces in Thailand.

The partnership between Pearson and the EEC has the main goal of helping support economic growth and developing infrastructure in Thailand through the provision of quality, career-focussed qualifications. The partnership also aims to help strengthen collaboration between the UK and Thailand.

The programme will launch with a pilot in several further education colleges in Thailand, with the aspiration to expand coverage across the country over time. The pilot courses being launched will reflect the top ten industry sectors as outlined in the Eastern Economic Corridor plan - including qualifications in automotive, aerospace, digital industry, healthcare and robotics. The EEC plan is an ambitious strategy which aims to develop the three eastern provinces of Thailand into an ASEAN economic zone.

EEC General Secretary, Mr Kanit Sangsubhan, said: 'The MoU with Pearson marks the first step of our cooperation to develop standards for vocational courses to support Thailand 4.0. The MOU represents our mutual intention to equip students with the skills required by the 10 targeted industries.'

President UK and Core, Rod Bristow said: 'Pearson is honoured to play a role in supporting the Thai people by providing high quality career-focused BTEC programmes to help equip Thailand with the world class knowledge and skills to boost economic growth.

'Pearson supports strengthening bilateral UK-Thai relationships and is committed to support learners, educators and employers to foster national prosperity. Pearson is working very closely with governments, multilateral organisations and business partners around the world to promote career-focused BTEC programmes as a pathway to a better life.'

The MoU, a partnership between EEC General Secretariat and Pearson, was signed at Pearson Headquarters in London. The signing ceremony is the beginning of the EEC Trade Show in the UK, which is aimed at deepening collaboration between the two countries and solidifying bilateral relationships at government and industry level.

Thailand is the second largest economy in South East Asia and bilateral trade with the UK increased by 2.8% to £5.6 billion between 2015 to 2016. Currently the majority of UK exports are in machinery, vehicles and mechanical appliances. Pearson sees the opportunity to export educational products and services to this market.

Bristow added: 'Through the BTEC qualification we offer learners a clear route to employment either directly or via higher education, supporting social mobility, and the knowledge needed to succeed nationally, regionally globally.'

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About the EEC

On February 1, 2018, the Thai parliament approved the law for trade and investment in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). With the EEC, Thailand hopes to develop its eastern provinces into a leading ASEAN economic zone. The EEC straddles three eastern provinces of Thailand - Chonburi, Rayong, and Chachoengsao - off the coast of the Gulf of Thailand and spans a total of 13,285 square kilometers. The government hopes to complete the EEC by 2021, turning these provinces into a hub for technological manufacturing and services with strong connectivity to its ASEAN neighbors by land, sea and air. As of January 1, 2018, the EEC has attracted US$9.3 billion in promised FDI, according to data provided by Thailand's Board of Investment (BOI).

The government expects US$43 billion (Thai Baht 1.5 trillion) for the realization of the EEC over the next five years. This funding will come from a mix of state funds, public-private partnerships (PPPs), and foreign direct investment (FDI). The government has identified four 'core areas' essential in making the EEC a renowned economic zone: (1) increased and improved infrastructure; (2) business, industrial clusters, and innovation hubs; (3) tourism and; (4) the creation of new cities through smart urban planning. The government predicts the creation of 100,000 jobs a year in the manufacturing and service industry by 2020 through the EEC.

About Pearson

Pearson is the world's learning company, with expertise in educational courseware and assessment, and a range of teaching and learning services powered by technology. Our mission is to help people make progress through access to better learning. We believe that learning opens up opportunities, creating fulfilling careers and better lives. For more, visit www.pearson.com.

About BTEC

BTECs are career-based qualifications designed to give students the skills they need to move on to higher education or go straight into employment.
BTEC offers a range of professional qualifications for anyone taking their first steps into the world of work, progressing through their careers, planning to enter university, or starting an apprenticeship. After 30 years of proven success, more and more employers and Higher Education institutions across the globe are choosing BTEC-qualified candidates for their practical knowledge and employability skills.

https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/about-us/qualification-brands/btec/progress-with-btec.html