The workshops, which were held in Nongkhai and Phuket, showcased a successful private and public sector collaboration where DHL conducted activities together with representatives of the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), a key function under the Ministry of Commerce.
Both DHL and DITP employees volunteered as employability and career guidance experts to organize and facilitate educational workshops and fun activities for the youths from SOS Children's Villages Thailand, while also sharing career experiences and expertise as part of the "Ton Kla on the Go" career training session.
This project, which saw participation from all four divisions within Deutsche Post DHL (DPDHL) Group – DHL Express, DHL Supply Chain and DHL Global Forwarding and DHL eCommerce – participated – is a further extension of the Group's GoTeach program, which aims to improve educational opportunities and employability for young people, and facilitate their transition to the working world. DHL is committed to help youth from all diverse economic and educational backgrounds to develop practical skills that will guide their career development.
"Our alliance with DITP is a perfect fit for our associates' educational partnership with SOS Children's Villages, as the youth are getting the best possible teachers and career guidance counselors," said Chananyarak Phetcharat, Managing Director, DHL Express Thailand. It is an honor to see how much they are able to take away from these workshops and apply them to a lot of the entrepreneurial activities that many of the children enthusiastically spoke about during the workshops."
"Our partnership with SOS Children's Villages creates the perfect blend of a loving and nurturing home for these children, with the added boost of encouraging their independence and the development of career oriented goals through such programs," concluded Kiattichai Pitpreecha, Managing Director, DHL eCommerce Thailand. "This is a perfect stepping stone for young entrepreneurs as they learn how to become self-starting, mature and responsible contributors to society."
DPDHL Group launched its global partnership with SOS Children's Villages International in 2010, with the goal of helping provide young people between the ages of 15 and 25 with better opportunities for a professional career, empowerment, an independent and steady source of income and a self-determined life. In addition to GoTeach, the company is also focused on GoGreen (protecting the environment) and GoHelp (disaster preparedness and response) programs.
Since 1971, SOS Children's Villages Thailand have been supporting children who have lost their parental care, helping them grow up in the most natural way possible and guiding them on their path from childhood to adulthood. There are currently approximately 700 children being cared for in five SOS Children's Villages across Thailand – Bangpoo Samutprakarn, Hatyai Songkla, Nongkhai, Chiang Rai and Phuket – and SOS mothers provide children who have lost their parental care and a supportive and a loving home. Presently, SOS Children's Villages Thailand has raised more than 500 responsible and independent adults who are now actively contributing to society.