PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES OF LOCAL WATER MANAGEMENT PRACTITIONERS IN RAYONG PROVINCE: FINDINGS FROM A TRAINING WORKSHOP ON LOCAL WATER DATA DEVELOPMENT AND WATER PROBLEM-SOLVING APPROACHES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14456/jesm.2026.4Keywords:
Local water data, Training workshop, Water management, Local administrative organizationsAbstract
This study aims to evaluate the development of competencies in data management and water problem–solving approaches among local administrative organizations and water-related agencies in Rayong Province through a workshop-based training program. Competency was assessed through self-evaluation across four dimensions: knowledge and understanding, skills, attitudes, and learning outcomes/practical capability. A survey technique was employed to collect pre- and post-training data using questionnaires administered to participants who attended the full two-day program. Overall findings indicate that prior to the training, participants’ competencies across all dimensions were at a low-to-moderate level. Following the training, competency levels increased markedly to a high level in all dimensions. Following the training, competency levels in learning outcomes and practical abilities increased markedly to a high level. In addition, results from paired-sample t-test demonstrate that overall competency scores in all dimensions increased significantly after the training at the 0.05 level of significance (p < 0.05). The findings suggest that a practice-oriented learning design can substantially enhance the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and practical capacities of local personnel. Moreover, the training shows strong potential for supporting the establishment of local water data centers and for strengthening systematic water management at the area level in Rayong Province.
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