Occupational Expansion Skills OP21002

101 (2) Conducting an inspection by coordinating with the working team and summarizing the shortcomings witnessed. (3) Mutually determining solutions for the shortcoming using the conclusion from the previous process in order to have the working team solve the problem. (4) Determining the period to follow up and informing the working team 4) Following up and improving shortcomings. The working team should act as follows. (1) Have the working team present the result from improvement (2) Have the working team consider whether the problem is successfully solved or not and identifies how to further develop it. (3) Summarize the result and store it as a knowledge

102 Activity 1 The learner is assigned to summarize all the contents learnt in this chapter and briefly answer the following questions. 1. What factors are necessary in running a business?............................................................ .......................................................................................................................................................................... 2. What are important issues relating to a business plan?...................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................................... 3. What are processes of developing a business plan?........................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................................... 4. What is included in the occupational development feasibility analysis?.......................... .......................................................................................................................................................................... Activity 2 How can you apply the knowledge learnt from the “Driving to develop the business” chapter? .......................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................................... Activity 3 The learner is assigned to discuss the following topics with colleges and summarize the outcome of the discussion. 1. Why it is necessary to learn how to drive and develop businesses? 2. What will happen if one lacks knowledge in driving to develop businesses? .......................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................................... ..........................................................................................................................................................................

103 Chapter 7 Occupational Development Project Essence An occupational development project is an arrangement of activities for execution by systematically determining the details of what, where, when, how, why, and by who, as well as what is the expected result to achieve the goal. Key Indicator 1. The learner is able to explain the importance of an occupational development project 2. The learner is able to develop a project 3. The learner is able to create an operation plan 4. The learner is able to correctly and suitably inspect the project Scope of Content Topic 1 Importance of occupational development Topic 2 Process in developing an occupational development project Topic 3 Developing an operation plan Topic 4 Inspecting an occupational development project

104 Topic 1 Importance of Occupational Development Project 1. Meaning of Occupational Development Project In implementing the operation plan to develop occupation according to the direction and framework that was determined, it is necessary to develop a project to control the execution of work. Project means a work that needs to be done in a specific period to solve problems or to satisfy needs, by identifying what, when, how to do, and what factors will be used. A project ends when its period ends or the problem is solved. Project is a good way to manage works since it is clear, reasonable, creating the same understanding, and its scope can be expanded to further develop the work or activity. 2. Characteristic of a Good Project A good project must clearly determine its details and able to identify what, where, when, how, and why doing the work, as well as what the expected result would be. The characteristics of good project can be outlined below. 1. Project objective must be clearly determined and easy to understand by highlighting on the expected outcome of the project; for example, being able to make an income statement correctly and able to reduce the expenses for at least 10% of total income. 2. It must be practicable not too fanciful and vague 3. It must be based on the realities of society, culture, economics, and politics, as well as being able to respond to the need of target group and can be achieved by the practitioner. 4. It provides the details on the elements of the project such as working methods and project timeframe, in order to determine expenses and resources for the project. 5. It should clearly identify the resources needed and the sources of such resources, as well as the budget and source of fund in operation. 6. It should state the expected outcome that aligns with the project goal and objective. 3. Preparation in Writing a Project Occupation can be classified into 2 categories, namely self employment, and working as an employee. In writing a project for any types of employment, it is necessary for the learner to prepare the following information. 1) Guideline in preparing information for self employed project (1) Fund: to successfully carry on a career, one must learn how much fund will be used, for which part it will be used, and if there is sufficient fund. If the existing fund is not enough, one will have to think further on where it can be raised, what the interest rates would be, what kind of warranty is required and whether such warranty exists or not, and what the loan condition would be. All of these

105 must be considered carefully to precisely estimate the cost of operation and to avoid any problems that may occur during the project. (2) Labor: business requires labor. The entrepreneur must consider how many workforces are needed, whether to use male or female workforce, to use family member or external labor, and whether to hire workforce in the community or other external sources since the entrepreneur will have to provide accommodations for externally hired workforces. This will be considered together with labor cost aspect. (3) Marketing: to what extent the occupation carried is needed by the community or its neighbor and see if there is any competitor since the most successful business is a business without competitors. Apart from that, one must also consider the spending habit and purchasing behavior of people in the community. (4) Management: management is a crucial part in self employment. Some entrepreneurs have their own sources of fund, labor, and market for the product but cannot be successful in business due to the lack of management skills, so it is necessary for the entrepreneur to have knowledge to manage his business as much as possible. Such management includes investment management to make the worthwhile returns, work process management, and marketing management to make the product well- known and impressed by customers. (5) Self proficiency: the important things in self employment are proficiency, capability, habit, and readiness of an entrepreneur. One should consider whether he likes or is capable in doing the job or not and then consider other things mentioned before. (6) Alignment: one should consider whether the characteristic of the job is in line with the condition in community or not; for example, for an occupation that usually uses water, one must consider whether the source of water is sufficient or not. Moreover, the selected occupation must not contradict to the believes, norms, and traditions of the community. For examples, pig farming in an Islamic community or creating fish ponds in a temple. 2) Guidelines in preparing project information for those who work as an employee are: (1) Wages: in considering whether the wage is high or low, one must consider not only in term of money but also in terms of time spent in working. Some workplaces give more money but the workers will have to spend all day working without rest and this will be bad for health. (2) Knowledge: certain companies need knowledge and an expert in a specific field, so one must consider whether his knowledge and expertise match such work or not.

106 (3) Career progression: one should consider the career opportunity in the company. Some companies support employees’ progression by conducting training or seminar, while others only pay the wages according to the number of work accomplished without developing their staffs.

107 Activity 1 Analyzing Information to Develop Occupational Development Project The learner is assigned to analyze and record information according to the following topics. 1. Occupation…………………………………………………………………………. 2. Types of occupation Self employment Working as an employee Information for self employment analysis Information for employee analysis Issue Fact Issue Fact 1.Capital 1.Wages 2.Labor 2.Knowledge of work 3. Market 3.Career progression 4. Management 5. Proficiency 6.Alignment with community

108 Topic 2 Process in Writing Occupational Development Project Information used in writing an occupational development project 1. The information used in an occupational development project will be similar to that used in planning but in more details. This information includes: 1. Market’s need: before taking up any careers, one will have to explore the conditions and needs of the community; for examples, number of children, adult, female, and elderly in the community, their occupations, status, average income, living conditions, which product or service is popular and whether there are competitors supplying such product / service or not, and how to differentiate the product. Such information can be obtained by asking and observing from statistical data provided by both government and private institutes, in order to see whether the investment is worthwhile or not. 2. Readiness in occupation: when choosing a career, one must consider his readiness in the following aspects. 2.1 Knowledge and capability relating to the job, by considering what aspect of knowledge and capability will be required, to what extent the entrepreneur possesses such knowledge, and how to learn more about the knowledge that is needed. 2.2 Place of business: some occupations rely heavily on the place of business; for examples, an agriculturist requires a large area of land and a trader needs a good location in the community center. 2.3 Fund: how much will be used to carry on the career, whether such fund is sufficient or not, and how to find it. 2.4 Tools and materials: what tool and material will be used, do they exist, and where to buy them. 2.5 Colleagues: how many colleagues required, who they are, what are their capability, and what kind of job should be assigned. 2. Obtaining information to write an occupational development project There are various ways to obtain information to write an occupational development project. The learner may choose one or many of the following approaches. 1. From document and textbook: this includes books, yearbooks, books of reference, newspapers, and reports. 2. From media such as television and radio programs. 3. From government agencies: these agencies can provide interesting information such as retail-wholesale prices, production volume, and characteristics of the product needed by market. These

109 agencies include Department of Cultural Extension, Office of Commerce, and Department of Industrial Promotion. 4. From experts in the community: by asking experts such as village leaders, teachers, and technocrats. 5. From survey: one might survey the community by himself to obtain clear and correct information such as surveying the product selling prices by asking from various sellers. 6. From observation such as observing the seller who could sell more products than others. 7. From interview: this approach can be used to obtain details such as method and technique to make a dumpling. Interviewing generally takes more time than other approaches, so it is necessary to prepare the topic prior to the interview to obtain completed information. 3. Writing an occupational development project Project is a process to relatively determine details of work to systematically control work in an occupation. In writing an occupational development project, things to list down in details include: 1) Project name The project’s name must be clear, specific, and easy to understand such as chicken farming project and banana tree growing project. 2) Principle and reason This is a presentation of reason, necessity, importance, and origin of the project. The writer must identify conditions of the problem, reason and necessity of the project, as well as providing supporting information such as statistical information from government agencies, problems of the community, or policies from central or local government, all of which must indicate the benefit in running such project or the disadvantage if such project does not happen. 3) Objective Objective clearly shows the needs or outcome of specific action and it must be measurable. A project may consist of one or many objectives. 4) Target Target setting is a determination of project outcome in advance, to see what can be expected from the project. Target setting can be done in 2 ways: (1) Quantitative target is a determination of the outcome in terms of quantity such as how many pieces, people, books, places and etc.

110 (2) Qualitative target is a determination of output quality such as what benefits and values of output from the project are, and etc. 5) Method of operation This includes the details of mission to achieve the project objective, so in planning the method of operation, one must consider to: (1) Classify the work into sub-activities and clearly prioritize them, starting from the beginning to the end. (2) Determine the timeframe for each activity in the form of working calendar. Example Working calendar for a 2 rais of banana tree growing project No. Activity Working period from 1 Jan to 31 Dec 2010 Remark Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 1 Study relevant information such as market, selling place, factor of production 2 Write the project 3 Look for and collect tool, equipment, fund place, labor, skill 4 Preparing the garden 5 Plant the banana tree 6 Looking after by adding fertilizer and eliminating pest 7 Cutting down and selling the banana 8 Arranging banana pile

111 After completing the working schedule, one will have to check the readiness of production factor, worker knowledge and capability, labor, capital, and distribution channel that is related to the occupation. This can be done by examining the list according to the table below. No. List Ready Not How to obtain? Sufficient Insufficient ready 1 Tractor to prepare farm land 2 Hoe / 3 Tool and equipment / 4 Fertilizer 5 Chemical pesticide / 6 Banana shoot / 7 Land 8 Labor / 9 Investing capital / 10 Distribution channel / Etc. / / 6) Time used in the project This involves a determination of working period from the beginning to the end such as from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2010. 7) Budget Determining budget is the process to show how the money or valuable asset will be used. One must clearly clarify how the money will be used in each item such as in labor, transportation, and tool and material. The completed budgeting process requires an estimation of expected income in order to create flexibility in occupation management and to balance the budget with the expense. The example of budget determination is provided below.

112 An example of budgeting for a 2 rai of banana tree growing project Budget that will be spent Amount Expected income Amount (baht) (baht) No List 300 No List 1,000 1 Labor cost for 3 days farmland 750 1 10,000 quantity of banana 4,000 preparation: 100 baht each day (10 baht for 100 bananas) 400 500 2 Cost for 150 banana shoots: 5 baht 2 20,000 quantity of banana each 300 (20 baht for 100 bananas) 500 3 Labor cost for a 4 days banana 500 3 Income from selling 300 planting: 100 baht each day 1,000 banana leaves 4,250 4 Cost of 3 bags of fertilizer: 100 200 4 Income from selling 100 baht each 300 banana shoots: 5 baht each 200 5 Cost of chemical pesticide 300 5 Selling banana blossom 6 Labor cost for 10 days harvesting: 6,300 Total 100 baht each day 7 Depreciation cost of a tractor 8 Rental 9 Interests 10 Gasoline Total 8) Network Network refers to any government and private agencies, groups of individuals, and academic sources that promote, support, and arrange activities that support each other. In identifying the list of network, one must clearly indicate who is in such network and how they are involved in such project. 9) Evaluation and report the project outcome This involves how to evaluate the project and by which method. Project evaluation can be classified into 3 phrases including: 1. Pre-project evaluation: this is an evaluation of the readiness of relevant factors which are investing capital, materials, tools, labor, market, managing systems, proficiency, and alignment with the community to prevent any mistakes at the beginning period.

113 2. Project evaluation: this involves an evaluation during the execution of the project to see work in progress, project feasibility, and associated problems or obstacles to find solutions for them. 3. Post-project evaluation: is an evaluation after the completion of the project to see whether the project achieves its objectives and targets or not, what the reason for that is, and what problems and obstacles are and how to solve them. Certain approaches can be used in evaluation process and one may use multiple approaches at the same time such as evaluation forms and discussion. This will be done when the project ends according to its timeframe. Then, it is recommended to conclude all the working information as a report to use in the next project or to report to the business owner. 10) Person in charge This is to identify the person in charge of the project. In case there are more than one responsible person, it is recommended to indicate how many people and at what aspect they are responsible for. 11) Relationship with other projects This is to identify how this project can support or is related to other projects. Moreover, this is an examination whether the project duplicates others or not. 12) Expected outcome It involves a determination of any output that may occur when the project has finished, as well as other outcomes that may occur in the future.

114 Activity 2 Developing a Career Development Project The learner is assigned to develop a career development project that he or she is interested in and thinks about the issues below. 1. Project name 2. Principle and reason 3. Objective 4. Target 5. Method of execution 6. Time used in operating the project 7. Budget 8. Network 9. Project evaluation and report 10. Person in charge 11. Relationship with other projects 12. Expected outcome

115 Topic 3 Developing an Operation Plan After the project has been planned, in order to systematically execute such project, the project administer should develop an operation plan by identifying the details in the table below. Key Activity Objective Target Area of Operation Group Goal Village Sub- District Timeframe Budget District

116 Topic 4 Inspecting a Career Development Project Inspecting, following up, and controlling the project execution are crucial parts to manage the project effectively. Inspecting a project is a process to regularly measure and control each step of execution by examining factors that include readiness of capital, labor, market, management, expertise, alignment between the career and community, processes of execution, and inspection of operation to see if it aligns with plan, and to see what the output and product will be. The process to follow up aims to point out the current situation of the project in utilizing resources, executing activities, or improving any problematic situation of the project which may occur, in a timely manner. Project controlling refers to a process to control activities in order to align them with the determined work plan and objectives. It also helps stimulate the project manager as well as project members to focus on the project execution that is in line with the plan, and to solve any issues as long as they occur. Moreover, the process aims to control the following aspects: 1. Physical resources: to see if the objective, tool, equipment, building, land, and personnel / workforce are sufficiently and economically equipped achieve the business objective. 2. Working process: this includes the control of techniques, machines, tools, and working procedures of personnel / worker to align with the standards of those specific types of work. 3. Working performance: this involves managing the project and aiming to produce the product according to the determined quality, quantity, and timeframe. 4. Finance: this includes the control of expense, budget, and accounting to ensure that the level of such income / expense of the project is in line with the plan and to ensure that the project can create output / product / service according to its objective. 5. Workforce: this relates to the control of working behaviors of the working team to align with the determined method and project schedule. In this case, a formal and systematic performance evaluation can be used to control workforces. Executing and controlling processes are both interrelated. The two processes are generally used to lead the work into the desired direction; in other words, after the work is inspected, it must also be controlled and lead to the direction determined in the plan, in order to help achieve its objectives. Therefore, following up and controlling the project will create unity throughout its project life. Project reporting is a summary of evaluation to see whether the project is operated according to the plan or not, and what problems are / obstacles occur, in order to find solutions and to encourage working efficiencies.

117 Evaluation of the project outcome: apart from evaluating the project according to its plan, the entrepreneur should also evaluate his ethics and merits. Most entrepreneurs only care about their own benefits without considering ethics and merits; this will affect job security in the long run.

118 Activity 3 The leaner is assigned to summarize your own occupational development project execution and write down in the form. Project summary report 1. Project timeframe Project starts at: Date .....................Month.........................................Year........................................ Project ends at: Date .....................Month.........................................Year........................................ Total execution period..................Year..............................Month...........................Day................. 2. Cost of production / service................................................................................................baht 3. Number of product / service received.................................................................................... 4. Distribution of product / service..................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................. 5. Selling price per unit Minimum price per unit............................................................................................................baht Maximum price per unit............................................................................................................baht Average price per unit............................................................................................................baht 6. Distribution channel a. ................................................................................................................. b. ................................................................................................................. c. ................................................................................................................. 7. Income / profit / loss ..............................................................................................................baht 8. Profit / loss sharing (if there is any partner)............................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................. 9. Remaining asset 9.1 ..............................Quantity.......................................Value................................baht 9.2 ..............................Quantity.......................................Value................................baht 9.3 ..............................Quantity.......................................Value................................baht 9.4 ..............................Quantity.......................................Value................................baht 10. Opportunity, threat, and solution ............................................................................................................................................... ...............................................................................................................................................

119 11. Project decision 11.1 Continue the project. Identify the reason why............................................................... ................................................................................................................................. 11.2 Continue the project. Identify the reason why............................................................... ................................................................................................................................. 11.3 Continue the project. Identify the reason why............................................................... ................................................................................................................................. 11.4 Continue the project. Identify the reason why............................................................... ................................................................................................................................. Comments from expert............................................................................................................................. .................................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................................... Signature................................................. (...............................................) Date........Month.................Year.........

120 Bibliography Ruethai Somboon. (2551). Occupational Development, lower secondary level, Nonthaburi, Long Life Ed. Publisher Limited. Group of NFE teachers. Learning Essence of Occupational Development Subject, Bangkok, Phaimedia Center Company Limited. Thai Occupational Development Center Sa Kaeo Province. (2552) Budgeting Plan 2552 Thai Occupational Development Center Sa Kaeo Province Kithachate Kraiwas (2550). Analyzing and Evaluating Project, Chonburi. Collage of Public Administration, Burapha University. Department of Planning, Office of the Non-formal and Informal Education. (2537) Project Management Manual. Bangkok, published by Art Progress Limited. Department of Informal Education Development. (2541). Carrying on an Occupation Skill Training Subject, Bangkok: published by The Agricultural Co-operative Federation of Thailand., Limited. The Office of Informal Education Management. (2548). Manual in Managing Informal Education to Strengthen Community using Sufficiency Economy. Bangkok: Rak Publisher. Kittiphan Dasawaskiat. (2551). Managing Risk and Examining Derivatives, Bangkok: Beerson Education Publisher. The Office of Informal Education Management. Approach in Managing Education for Occupational Development. Bangkok: Rangsi Publisher. The Office of the Education Council. (2551). Guideline of Education Arrangement Focusing on the Learner. Derived from http://www.oncc.go.th/publication/50051 Informal Education Development Group. Learn to Think. Copied. Mayuri Anumanratchathon. (2548). Project Management. Bangkok: Kanuengnij Publishing. Center of Informal Education: Central Region. (2544). Occupational Development Lower Secondary Level, Bangkok: Ake Pim That Publisher.

121 Editing Group Advisor Secretary-general of ONIE. 1. Mr. Prasert Boonruang Deputy secretary-general of ONIE 2. Mr. Chaiyosh Imsuwan Deputy secretary-general of ONIE 3. Mr. Watcharin Jampee Advisor in Curriculum Development of ONIE 4. Dr. Tongyoo Kaewsaiha Director of Non-Formal Education Development Group 5. Ms. Rakkhana Tantawootto Occupational Training and Development Center Author and Compiler Sa Kaeo Province Ms. Kitsana Sophi Editors and Reviewers Office of the Non-formal and Informal Education: 1. Ms. Ubon Tasanakowit San Sai District, Chiang Mai Province Office of the Non-formal and Informal Education: 2. Mr. Suthee Woraprasert Traad Province Office of the Non-formal and Informal Education: 3. Ms. Suwicha Innongchang San Sai District, Chiang Mai Occupational Training and Development Center 4. Mr. Sekkapatra Srimuang Uttaradit Province 5. Ms. Dussadee Sriwattanarothai Non-formal Education Development Group 6. Ms. Pornthip Khemthong Non-formal Education Development Group 7. Ms. Yaowarat Kamthrong Non-formal Education Development Group Working Group Non-formal Education Development Group 1. Mr. Surapong Manmano Non-formal Education Development Group 2. Mr. Suphachoke Srirattanasilp Non-formal Education Development Group 3. Ms. Wannaporn Pattamanon Non-formal Education Development Group 4. Ms. Sarinya Kulpradit Non-formal Education Development Group 5. Ms. Phetcharin Luengjitwattana

122 Editors and Reviewers: Edition 2 (4 – 10 November 2011) 1. Ms. Anchalee Thamwitikul 2. Ms. Dussadee Sriwattanarothai 3. Mr. Suthee Worapradit 4. Ms. Krisana Sophee 5. Mr. Suphab Muangnoi 6. Ms. Tippawan Wongrouan Key processer Non-Formal Education Development Group Ms. Phetcharin Luengjitwattana Non-Formal Education Development Group Cover designer Mr. Suphachoke Srirattanasilp