Ms. Cai Cai, Chief, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Section, Social Development Division, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, delivers welcoming remarks via a recorded video message during the opening program.

Mr. Piroon Laismit, Executive Director of APCD, delivers welcoming remarks to participants at the opening program. 

Ms. Pinya Chamroonsat, Deputy Director-General, DEP, delivers the opening remarks at the opening program.

Participants engage in group discussions to exchange experiences and explore practical approaches to Job Coaching.

Mr. Kevin Cook shares practical knowledge and international experience in Job Coaching to support disability-inclusive employment.

Ms. Jaruwan Ngampisutpaisan, Senior Vice President - Human Resources, Central Restaurants Group (CRG), shares business perspectives on disability-inclusive employment and creating inclusive workplaces.

Participants take part in role-play activities to practice key skills required for effective Job Coaching.

Participants engage in ice-breaking activities to build connections and foster a positive learning environment.

Participants pose for a group photo with their certificates upon completing the Job Coach Training, marking their achievement and commitment to supporting disability-inclusive employment.
 

APCD, DEP, and ESCAP Launched Job Coach Training to Strengthen Disability-Inclusive Employment in Thailand.
The Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD), in collaboration with the Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEP) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), successfully organized a five-day Job Coach Training from 29 June to 3 July 2026 in Bangkok. The training was conducted under the Disability-Inclusive Employment and Business (DIEB) project, which aims to strengthen disability-inclusive employment in Thailand through the development of a Job Coach system.
The opening ceremony featured welcoming remarks by Mr. Piroon Laismit, Executive Director of APCD, and Ms. Cai Cai, Chief of the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Section at ESCAP. The training was officially opened by Ms. Pinya Chamroonsat, Deputy Director-General of the DEP.
The five-day training program commenced with a session on the project overview, including Result 1 and Result 2, presented by Mr. Somchai Rungsilp. The training was delivered and facilitated by Mr. Kevin Cook, an international Job Coach expert with extensive experience in supported employment and job coaching in the United States. Throughout the five-day program, participants engaged in lectures, group discussions, practical exercises, and role-play activities designed to strengthen both their understanding of Job Coaching principles and their ability to apply them in real workplace settings.
Fifteen participants representing a wide range of organizations from 4 regions of Thailand took part in the training, including the Association for Disabled in the Southern Border Provinces, Steps Community, Yardfon Center for Empowerment and Vocational Development for Persons with Disabilities (Chiang Mai Province), Social Innovation Foundation, Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University, Thai Family Link Association, Siam University, Rajanukul Institute, Disabilities Thailand, the Association of Parents of Persons with Intellectual Disability of Thailand and APCD. By enhancing the capacity of Job Coaches, the initiative contributes to creating more inclusive, accessible, and sustainable employment opportunities for persons with disabilities across the country.