A Competency Development Framework for Digital Workforce in Industrial Business Organizations

Thailand’s industrial sector faces rapid digital disruption and an escalating shortage of tech-skilled talent. In this study, we introduce a workforce competency framework grounded in the realities of Thai businesses, designed to close this skills gap and guide sector-wide digital readiness. We collected information from focus groups and surveyed 500 executive organizations to construct the framework. This approach allowed us to record strategic, operational realities. The framework's four main components are as follows: (1) Retraining employees for automation and AI integration; (2) Integrating Wisdom, which emphasizes customized training for generative AI and digital decision-making; (3) Organizational Support, which emphasizes the importance of infrastructure, leadership, and knowledge sharing; and (4) Collaboration Networks, encouraging cooperation and the sharing of knowledge between generations. The model's fit was validated by statistical analysis (χ² p-value = 0.132, CMIN/DF = 1.086, GFI = 0.948, RMSEA = 0.013), indicating that small, medium, and large businesses could use it. The framework's general applicability is demonstrated by the t-test results, which showed no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) in competency priorities across business sizes. These findings deliver a strategic model for policymakers, educators, and business leaders striving to raise a digitally agile workforce.