The Community Vocational Group for the Elderly in the Kob Jao Community, Kob Jao Subdistrict, Bang Ban District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province

Abstract

The purposes of this research were (1) to study the management of the community vocational group for the elderly in the Kob Jao community, Kob Jao Subdistrict, Bang Ban District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, and (2) to investigate the factors affecting the community vocational group for the elderly in the Kob Jao community, Kob Jao Subdistrict, Bang Ban District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province. The target group was the population in the supplementary occupational community of Kob Jao Subdistrict, Moo 8, Ban Krok Ton Sai Number of 13 cases. This research is qualitatively based on in-depth interviews.

The research results showed that the management of the community vocational group for the elderly in the community was such that the group was managed with a group president overseeing the administration and marketing. This individual was responsible for procuring equipment, taking care of the members within the group, and also leading the sales of products made by the group members to the market. There was a vice president assisting with overseeing sales booths. As for online sales channels, there were group members who helped manage them. The participating members acted like workers, following the president’s orders, primarily producing the goods as required by the group. Once the products were completed, they would deliver them to the group for further sales in the market.

The factors affecting the community vocational group for the elderly in the Kob Jao community were that the group members supported each other well. Moreover, having a good group leader was considered very fortunate, as a good leader would lead the group to success. Additionally, there were organizations that consistently assisted and supported the group.  Most of the support was in the form of equipment to save costs for the community vocational group. Additionally, many organizations wanted to promote the group, including community development agencies, the Agricultural and Cooperative Bank Fund, and access to consumers with supportive markets. The group functioned as a community enterprise and was part of the ‘One Tambon One Product’ initiative. This allowed the community vocational group for the elderly in the Kob Jao community to have their own store within the community and also to set up booths in various markets. This contributed to the group’s success up to the present day.