Home Builder Association (HBA) has unveiled a plan to develop a new generation of construction professionals with the initiative “Free Education, Guaranteed Employment for Stable Income” through a collaborative model with educational partners. The “HBA Model Premium” program is set to accept its second batch from January to March 2025, providing comprehensive academic knowledge alongside practical experience in workplaces, aiming to enhance educational and career opportunities, alleviate labor shortages, reduce unemployment rates, and boost competitive capabilities to support the growth of the construction industry while contributing to GDP growth.

Mr. Olar Chanphu President of the Home Builder Association (HBA) stated that the growth of the construction industry and related businesses, such as building materials plays a significant role in national development, accounting for 10% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which is interconnected with various businesses, including employment of personnel such as construction workers and civil engineers, which are in high demand in Thailand's construction industry.

The association has consistently prioritized the development of skills for construction and civil engineering personnel through a tripartite collaboration model involving the association, educational institutions, and member construction companies to promote and develop new construction professionals in line with the expansion of the construction industry and contribute to the long-term economic growth of the country. This includes collaboration with the Office of the Vocational Education Commission (OVEC) to implement the “Construction Management and Control Personnel Development Project” since 2017, leading up to the latest HBA Model Premium project, which develops a curriculum in partnership with Dusit Technical College under OVEC.

“The launch of the first batch of the program has shown an increasing number of young people choosing to study in construction fields because they earn income while studying, and upon graduation, they have better job opportunities due to the high demand for these skills in the job market, especially in the home building sector, which continues to grow,” Mr. Olar stated.

The HBA Model Premium program will offer dual vocational training in construction. Interested applicants must have completed a vocational certificate (Vocational Certificate Level 3) in construction or related fields to join this program, with a limit of 15 students per batch.

For the second batch of HBA Model Premium, the association is preparing to accept students who have completed a vocational certificate (Vocational Certificate Level 3) in construction or civil engineering, who are interested in pursuing a career in construction management. They will undergo a written exam and an interview, and those who are accepted into the program will receive support for tuition and educational fees throughout the course, approximately 28,000 baht per person.

Additionally, the program provides a monthly allowance of no less than 9,000 baht when students start working with companies, along with accommodation and travel expenses after being employed, as well as learning materials, textbooks, clothing, and uniforms as per the requirements of each company. After graduation and passing competency tests, participants will be guaranteed a minimum income of 15,000 baht per month.

For students wishing to continue their studies at the bachelor's level, the Bachelor of Technology program in Civil Engineering Technology at Dusit Technical College, which is held only on Saturdays and Sundays, will provide support for tuition and educational fees throughout the course, approximately 54,000 baht per person, along with a guaranteed income of no less than 20,000 baht per month after graduation.

The HBA Model Premium program is committed to creating educational opportunities for students, ensuring they have income while studying and alleviating concerns about educational expenses, especially in the current economic climate. At the same time, the business sector aims to prepare personnel with knowledge and expertise in construction to become a key workforce supporting future business expansion.

“The knowledge gained from the curriculum and real-world experience from working in construction companies will cultivate skills for participants, such as construction techniques, reading blueprints, as well as communication and teamwork skills. Moreover, having immediate employment upon graduation and earning income while studying benefits both the learners and the business sector, addressing labor market needs and fostering economic growth,” Mr. Olar concluded.

The dual vocational program HBA Model Premium Batch 1 was launched in 2023, where students received both theoretical knowledge in construction and practical experience as per the established curriculum. Now, as we move into Batch 2 of the program, we are opening opportunities for the new generation to become a vital part of the home building business in the future by seizing the opportunity to “Learn for Free, Get a Job, and Build a Stable Income” ahead of others, with applications open from January to March 2025.