Life and Career Skills for Sustainable Development Among Underprivileged Groups in Multicultural Southern Thailand

Amid globalization, workforce adaptability and life and career skills are essential for sustaining livelihoods and fostering inclusive development, particularly among underprivileged groups in rural, multicultural areas. This study aimed to identify, synthesize, and validate life and career skills indicators to strengthen workforce capacity. Using document synthesis, expert interviews, expert validation, and structured questionnaires, data were gathered from 200 participants for pilot testing and 500 for empirical validation. Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analyses examined the construct validity of the proposed framework. Findings revealed that local livelihoods rely on three primary occupations-rice farming, fisheries, and toddy palm handicrafts-reflecting ecological resources and cultural diversity. Out of twenty initial indicators, seven core components of life and career skills were identified: business planning and management, emotional and attitude regulation, communication and technology, problem analysis and decision-making, professional expertise, innovative marketing, and leadership. Factor analysis confirmed the seven-component model, explaining 78.61% of the variance. The model showed excellent fit (χ²/df = 1.50, p =.998; GFI =.998; AGFI =.997; RMR =.028; RMSEA =.000), indicating an accurate representation of observed relationships. The findings highlight the importance of integrating traditional livelihoods with digital literacy, innovative thinking, and cross-cultural collaboration to improve resilience, adaptability, and employability. The validated framework offers practical guidance for policymakers, educators, and community leaders to develop context-specific training programs and upskilling initiatives that empower rural populations, support inclusive economic participation, and foster sustainable community growth in multicultural settings.