Skills for the future
Plans to transform the human factors profession in Thailand with a new certification system and core competencies have been outline in a new study. An increasing number of organisations in the country have been looking to human factors experts to improve their businesses. But researchers claim there is a lack of experienced instructors to deliver academic programmes about the discipline.
A paper published in the journal Theoretical Issues in Ergonomic Science has now set out the ways in which the profession in Thailand could be developed in line with local needs and resources. It explains how the certification process was developed and identifies the competencies that are needed.
The study says: “To reliably assess and design systems according to HFE [human factors & ergonomics] principles and standards, programs should be provided by creditable HFE professionals and based on holistic HFE knowledge. The objective of the present study was to initiate a transformation of the professional development in Thailand. The process included a consolidation of the details of HFE education through questionnaires, and identification of requirements from industries through a focus group interview.
“The results showed a prevalent lack of holistic considerations of HFE knowledge and a primary focus on physical ergonomics. Problems with lack of resources and basic knowledge in design were also reflected by concerns from the industry regarding limited experience,
design competency and use of objective methodologies of HFE practitioners. This information was subsequently used to constitute the development of preliminary competencies and a pilot certification system.”
