With the support from the European Union (EU) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Save the Children (Thailand) Foundation, in collaboration with various private sector organizations and civil society organizations, joined forces to organize the Dream Believe Achieve Job Fair 2022 #TheFutureisinYourHands in Pattani. The event was held on Sunday August 7, 2022 at the Nam Proud Ballroom of CS Pattani Hotel.

The Job Fair was organized with the aim to promote, restore, and bridge career opportunities amongst local youth and entrepreneurs within and beyond the three southern border provinces of Thailand that have been severely affected economically by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prasert Tepanart, Executive Director of Save the Children (Thailand) Foundation stressed that, “Creating pathways to bridge opportunities for youth who are facing inequality and discrimination to gain professional experience and transferable life skills will greatly enhance access to decent work opportunities and strengthen the local community’s resilience to any future crisis.” Prasert concluded, “On behalf of Save the Children, I would like to express my gratitude to all the companies, partners, and especially the EU and the USAID for making this job fair event possible.”

 “The COVID-19 pandemic has caused profound adverse consequences on the economy. The European Union and our member states are taking action to mitigate the socio-economic impact of the pandemic and support the recovery globally. In Thailand, we are proud to help fund this initiative for young people in the three southern border provinces and beyond. We want to help ensure that no one is left behind. The event shows a great partnership of civil society organizations and the private sector. The job fair is another important step to help local youth and their communities to become self-reliant in times of crisis” said H.E. David Daly, Ambassador of the European Union to Thailand.  

USAID Regional Development Mission for Asia’s Acting Mission Director Juniper Neill affirmed the Agency’s support, saying, “By partnering with the Royal Thai Government, the European Union, and local partners, we offer solutions that allow youth to reach their full potential and create environments to promote their inclusion and belonging in their communities. Building upon the USAID-supported skill training programs held over these past three years, this first job fair will not only provide youth with employment opportunities, but also foster meaningful engagement between youth and their communities. Ultimately, we hope that empowering youth with the necessary skills and tools will effectively contribute to the resilience and security of Thailand.”

The job fair event covered a wide range of activities, including career workshops on topics such as resume development and how to build a professional profile to increase chances of success when applying for jobs. The event also brought together local entrepreneurs who are recruiting candidates for vacancies and youths who are seeking job opportunities. Guidance was also provided on how to prepare for preliminary interviews required by the Provincial Employment Office to further the recruitment process.