Dassault Systèmes Collaborates with EVAT to Bridge the Skills Gap in Thailand’s Automotive Industry and Supply Chains

• Collaborative partnerships across the automotive ecosystem are key to supporting the workforce transformation of Thailand’s automotive manufacturing sector from internal combustion engine (ICEs) vehicle production to innovations in battery electric vehicles (BEVs)
• Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform and virtual twin experiences are a game-changer in enhancing this end-to-end transformation
• Dassault Systèmes’ partnership with EVAT aims to help address the workforce challenges and opportunities within the automotive ecosystem to shape industry transformation

Dassault Systèmes (Euronext Paris: FR0014003TT8, DSY.PA), in partnership with the Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand (EVAT), business sectors, academia and government, is Ieading the way to accelerate Thailand’s prominence as a regional automotive hub.

At the heart of Thailand’s ambition to shift from a production base to a more innovation- and research and development-intensive one, individuals who are highly skilled in R&D and digital technology are needed to lead advancements in electric vehicle technologies.  The partnership links Dassault Systèmes to institutions of higher learning (IHL) and vocational training centres, to initiate discussions on co-developing “Skills of the Future” programs in a systematic way. The aim is to enable project-centric, enhanced learning experiences for academia in these institutions that leverage the company’s 3DEXPERIENCE platform, which is used by the global automotive industry to create virtual twins of products and manage their life cycle.  

The automotive industry in Thailand possesses a competitive advantage in establishing itself as a prominent EV Hub. The country is on track to attain its 30@30 plan under Thailand’s EV roadmap that calls for zero-emission EVs to make up 30% of all domestic vehicle production by 2030.

Its workforce, rooted in its esteemed reputation as ASEAN’s primary manufacturer of automobiles, is well positioned to support the transformation of Thailand’s automotive manufacturing sector from internal combustion engines (ICEs) to a battery electric vehicles (BEVs) innovation hub.  

Whilst challenges in the form of a skills gap may arise, the opportunities to accelerate Thailand’s emergence as a prominent regional EV Hub requires work and collaborations between government agencies, academia, vocational institutes, industry leaders and technology partners.

Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform and virtual twin experiences play a vital role in the automotive workforce. Its solutions for R&D, concept to design and engineering, production and aftersales enable capabilities such as project management, computer-aided design, computer-aided manufacturing, systems engineering and structural calculations.  It also includes immersive technologies and enables the simulation of complex systems, multi-physics systems and manufacturing processes, as well as the representation and planning of assembly lines and industry 4.0 factories.

Mr. Krisda Utamote, President of Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand (EVAT) said: “The endeavor to upskill and reskill personnel in the automotive industry as it transforms from traditional combustion engines to electric drivetrain systems represents a pivotal mission undertaken by the EVAT. We believe that Dassault Systèmes, leveraging its cutting-edge digital platforms and technologies, can give rise to novel opportunities within the electric vehicle industry in the foreseeable future, to elevate Thailand’s move from a production hub to an innovation hub involving more engineering design work and R&D, and at a faster pace.”

Asst. Prof. Dr. Uthane Supatti, Vice President for Academic and Human Development of Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand (EVAT) and Head of Power Electronics Applications and Energy Management (PEEM) Research Unit, at Kasetsart University, Sriracha Campus said: “Skill shortages are hitting automotive industries, especially regarding workers with advanced engineering and digital skills. The cooperation between education institutes, industry sectors and technology providers, especially when it comes to developing a comprehensive educational approach will be the answer to developing manpower for the EV industry. Not only do individuals gain theoretical knowledge, but they also acquire the practical skills necessary for designing, developing, and deploying state-of-the-art software solutions. The association is actively studying and preparing to further refine the EV learning curriculum in collaboration with Dassault Systèmes.”

Mr. Benjamin Tan, Sales Director, Customer Role Experience, Asia Pacific South, Dassault Systèmes said: “We have been partnering with EVAT for the past year to engage more local vocational and learning institutes, and to support the shift from traditional ICE to BEVs. We have the knowledge and technology to equip the workforce with the skills to not only meet the present demand but also anticipate the future requirements of the industry. By fostering collaboration between academia and all stakeholders in the ecosystem, we are closing the skills gap and also propelling Thailand onto the global stage as a center of excellence in EV technology.”