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

Thaniya Yaodum; Matee Di-Sawat

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijecs.20251006.11

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

Thaniya Yaodum

, Matee Di-Sawat^*

Published in International Journal of Education, Culture and Society (Volume 10, Issue 6)

Received: 9 October 2025 Accepted: 22 October 2025 Published: 26 November 2025

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Abstract

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.

Published in	International Journal of Education, Culture and Society (Volume 10, Issue 6)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijecs.20251006.11
Page(s)	309-320
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Life Skills, Career Skills, Sustainability, Multiculturalism, Underprivileged Groups

References

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APA Style

Yaodum, T., Di-Sawat, M. (2025). Life and Career Skills for Sustainable Development Among Underprivileged Groups in Multicultural Southern Thailand. International Journal of Education, Culture and Society, 10(6), 309-320. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijecs.20251006.11

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ACS Style

Yaodum, T.; Di-Sawat, M. Life and Career Skills for Sustainable Development Among Underprivileged Groups in Multicultural Southern Thailand. Int. J. Educ. Cult. Soc. 2025, 10(6), 309-320. doi: 10.11648/j.ijecs.20251006.11

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AMA Style

Yaodum T, Di-Sawat M. Life and Career Skills for Sustainable Development Among Underprivileged Groups in Multicultural Southern Thailand. Int J Educ Cult Soc. 2025;10(6):309-320. doi: 10.11648/j.ijecs.20251006.11

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@article{10.11648/j.ijecs.20251006.11,
  author = {Thaniya Yaodum and Matee Di-Sawat},
  title = {Life and Career Skills for Sustainable Development Among Underprivileged Groups in Multicultural Southern Thailand
},
  journal = {International Journal of Education, Culture and Society},
  volume = {10},
  number = {6},
  pages = {309-320},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijecs.20251006.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijecs.20251006.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijecs.20251006.11},
  abstract = {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.
},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Life and Career Skills for Sustainable Development Among Underprivileged Groups in Multicultural Southern Thailand

AU  - Thaniya Yaodum
AU  - Matee Di-Sawat
Y1  - 2025/11/26
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijecs.20251006.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijecs.20251006.11
T2  - International Journal of Education, Culture and Society
JF  - International Journal of Education, Culture and Society
JO  - International Journal of Education, Culture and Society
SP  - 309
EP  - 320
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-3363
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijecs.20251006.11
AB  - 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.

VL  - 10
IS  - 6
ER  -

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Author Information

Thaniya Yaodum

Faculty of Education, Thaksin University, Songkhla, Thailand

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0008-7794-9931
Matee Di-Sawat

Faculty of Education, Thaksin University, Songkhla, Thailand

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0007-9455-2664

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APA Style

Yaodum, T., Di-Sawat, M. (2025). Life and Career Skills for Sustainable Development Among Underprivileged Groups in Multicultural Southern Thailand. International Journal of Education, Culture and Society, 10(6), 309-320. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijecs.20251006.11

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ACS Style

Yaodum, T.; Di-Sawat, M. Life and Career Skills for Sustainable Development Among Underprivileged Groups in Multicultural Southern Thailand. Int. J. Educ. Cult. Soc. 2025, 10(6), 309-320. doi: 10.11648/j.ijecs.20251006.11

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AMA Style

Yaodum T, Di-Sawat M. Life and Career Skills for Sustainable Development Among Underprivileged Groups in Multicultural Southern Thailand. Int J Educ Cult Soc. 2025;10(6):309-320. doi: 10.11648/j.ijecs.20251006.11

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@article{10.11648/j.ijecs.20251006.11,
  author = {Thaniya Yaodum and Matee Di-Sawat},
  title = {Life and Career Skills for Sustainable Development Among Underprivileged Groups in Multicultural Southern Thailand
},
  journal = {International Journal of Education, Culture and Society},
  volume = {10},
  number = {6},
  pages = {309-320},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijecs.20251006.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijecs.20251006.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijecs.20251006.11},
  abstract = {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.
},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Life and Career Skills for Sustainable Development Among Underprivileged Groups in Multicultural Southern Thailand

AU  - Thaniya Yaodum
AU  - Matee Di-Sawat
Y1  - 2025/11/26
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijecs.20251006.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijecs.20251006.11
T2  - International Journal of Education, Culture and Society
JF  - International Journal of Education, Culture and Society
JO  - International Journal of Education, Culture and Society
SP  - 309
EP  - 320
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-3363
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijecs.20251006.11
AB  - 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.

VL  - 10
IS  - 6
ER  -

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