New Kiwi export is professional standards

New Kiwi export is professional standards

Thailand Professional Qualification Institute (TPQI) has signed an agreement with ServiceIQ, New Zealand’s service sector industry training organisation, that will see Thai aviation, tourism and hospitality standards and qualifications aligned with those in New Zealand.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two organisations reinforces the high regard in which New Zealand’s service sector training and qualifications is held, says ServiceIQ CEO Dean Minchington.

“More than 13% of our GDP flows from the service industries that ServiceIQ is responsible for. Our success in this area has been noticed internationally, and the value of training and qualifications to that success recognised. This government has always promoted the value of skills for individuals and to the businesses that employ those people. Smarter people make for smarter business, and that has a direct benefit to all aspects of the economy, from employment right through to our national debt and international standing.”

While the agreement is yet to have a commercial value attached, it is part of the international cooperation that Free Trade Agreements foster, and opens opportunities for New Zealand.

TPQI Board Chair, General Lertrat Ratanawanich, led the TPQI delegation in Wellington and signed the MoU. He praised the way that New Zealand has embraced upskilling and qualifications within our service sectors.

“The delegation members were impressed by how our industries understand both the staff and business benefits of training programmes, and the need to ensure that standards are not only set, but are met.

“ServiceIQ will work with TPQI to map Thailand qualifications to New Zealand equivalents, develop standards that align to the equivalent Thai qualifications based on the equivalent New Zealand Standards, provide support in Thai industry consultation for these standards, and provide ongoing moderation of the standards.

“We may see, for example, New Zealand training providers with increased numbers of Thai students studying here because their New Zealand qualifications will be recognised by employers in Thailand.”

Dean Minchington says that the agreement came into force as soon as it was signed and has a three year term.

“We’ve already had useful discussions with the TPQI delegation, and expect that benefits will soon start to flow.”

TPQI is a Thailand Public Organization, with a Board of Directors overseen by the Thai Prime Minister and Minister in Charge. TPQI is the main organization responsible for developing occupational standards and accrediting professional qualification.

ServiceIQ is the industry training organisation (ITO) for the aviation, hospitality, retail, travel, tourism, museums and wholesale sectors. These sectors are worth more than $27 billion of GDP and account for around 20% of employment, with around 400,000 full time equivalent jobs.

ENDS

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