Bangkok, Thailand, 24 June 2026 — Steps, in partnership with the Thailand Professional Qualification Institute (TPQI), celebrated a milestone in inclusive workforce development by recognising graduates of its accredited Digital Literacy and Barista programmes at the TPQI Certification Ceremony held at Crowne Plaza Bangkok Lumpini Park.
As part of Steps’ comprehensive Training and Education Programme — which includes Life Skills, Preparation for the Future, and Transition to Work — TPQI recognised qualifications in digital literacy and barista training. These qualifications help trainees gain real-world skills, boost confidence, and prepare for meaningful employment opportunities.
This partnership reflects TPQI’s mission to set national professional standards that open doors for all individuals, regardless of background or ability, and to strengthen Thailand’s workforce through skills-based certification.
The ceremony recognised the achievements of trainees who successfully completed nationally accredited vocational qualifications, while celebrating inclusive learning, skills development, and the pathways these programmes create towards meaningful employment. Bringing together graduates, families, employers, corporate partners like IHG Hotels and Resorts Thailand and Danone Thailand, government representatives, and inclusion advocates, the event highlighted the importance of collaboration in building a more inclusive employment ecosystem.
Throughout the programme, speakers reinforced a shared vision that accessible, high quality vocational education creates opportunities for people who identify as neurodivergent and people with disabilities to build skills, confidence, independence, and sustainable careers. The ceremony also demonstrated how partnerships between education providers, employers, families, and government can strengthen inclusive employment outcomes across Thailand.
In his remarks, Max Simpson, CEO of Steps, reflected on the importance of closing the education to employment gap through personalised learning pathways. He highlighted the partnership with TPQI as an important step in demonstrating that nationally recognised vocational programmes can be both rigorous and inclusive, while celebrating the determination and growth of every graduate throughout their learning journey. He added,
‘At Steps, we believe everyone deserves the chance to build a future that works for them.
That’s why we are proud to work with TPQI to offer nationally recognised qualifications in Digital Literacy and Barista Training Programmes to neurodivergent trainees at our Steps Training Centre.
These qualifications are part of our wider programme — which builds the confidence, practical experience, and employability skills trainees need to move into meaningful and sustainable work.
This partnership ensures that every trainee graduates not just with training, but with proof of their skills, recognised across Thailand and ASEAN — helping them take their next steps towards independence.’
Attended by Mrs. Jullada Meejul, Director-General of the TPQI emphasised that accredited vocational qualifications play an essential role in expanding opportunities for individuals to enter the formal workforce. They recognised the collaboration with Steps as an example of how accessible training programmes can uphold professional standards while creating meaningful opportunities for learners with diverse needs.
The event also featured reflections from the community, highlighting that inclusive employment begins with accessible education and strong partnerships. Graduates and their families were recognised not only for completing the programmes but also for helping demonstrate what is possible when barriers to education and employment are removed.
The TPQI Certification Ceremony represents another step towards strengthening inclusive workforce development in Thailand. By combining accredited vocational qualifications with personalised learning and employer engagement, Steps and TPQI are helping create practical pathways into employment while showcasing the value that neurodivergent people and people with disabilities bring to workplaces and communities.
As graduates continue into internships and employment opportunities, the partnership reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that accessible professional development, inclusive employment, and lifelong learning remain central to building a workforce where everyone has the opportunity to contribute and succeed.
The learner journey, from training to work
Success is not built in isolation: it happens when families, educators, accreditation bodies, and employers work together.
About the TPQI x Steps collaboration
Steps is proud to partner with the Thailand Professional Qualification Institute (TPQI) as the first organisation in the region to deliver TPQI-accredited training programmes in Digital Literacy and Barista skills for neurodivergent learners. These qualifications build real-world skills, grow confidence, and prepare young people for meaningful employment opportunities.
This partnership reflects a shared commitment to creating career pathways so that everyone, regardless of their learning profile, can access professional development, while also strengthening Thailand’s workforce through training and hands-on practice.