The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) joined the Ministry of Labour and the Workability Thailand Association to launch a job-coaching programme for people with disabilities to promote equal career opportunities for all.

The programme, which ran from July 24 to 26 at the Social Development Department in Din Daeng district, was supervised by deputy governor Sanon Wangsrangboon.

“The BMA’s policy of hiring disabled people is not about fulfilling a quota, as we also focus on improving their job skills,” said Sanon as he opened the event. “The training programme will boost their capabilities and also make the market realise what disabled persons can really do.”

The BMA’s Social Development Department together with the ministry’s Department of Skill Development designed the programme to coach people with disabilities so that they can work efficiently in a normal environment.

Twenty-six employees of district offices and private companies underwent 18 hours of classroom training and practice. Those who scored at least 60% on the two tests (classroom and practice) receive a certificate from the Ministry of Labour.

Since the current BMA administration took office in June of last year, it has been hiring disabled people with the aim of them reaching 1% of its entire workforce, as suggested by the Ministry of Labour for public or private agencies with more than 100 employees, Sanan said.

He said that out of its total workforce of about 60,000 people, the BMA employs about 400 disabled people and is looking to hire more to meet the ministry’s guideline.

“We tasked the Social Development Department to list the jobs that disabled persons can do at the district office and urge each district to fill the positions,” Sanan said. “This way we can ensure that all disabled people we hire have suitable duties instead of having nothing to do.”

Sanon expressed hope that the training programme would also help disabled people find meaningful jobs to prevent them from quitting.

The deputy governor also praised the Dusit district office which has hired disabled people to work at their Bangkok Fast and Clear Centre to provide instructions and suggestions to people receiving services.

The Dusit district could be a role model for other district offices as the city is planning to hire more disabled people in the coming years.