TVET-Ausbildung stärkt Kambodschas Fachkräfte für wachsenden Industriestandort

TVET grads key to Cambodia's expanding industries

The TVET sector is strengthening the country's skilled workforce to meet the rapidly evolving needs of the economy, industry, and digital technology.

The skilled technical and vocational education and training (TVET) workforce has actively contributed to human capital development in Cambodia, said Sun Mesa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MLVT), yesterday.

Approximately 270,000 youths from poor and vulnerable families have benefited from the TVET 1.5M programme since its launch in 2024 until the first quarter of 2026.

Of the total, around 227,000 students were trained at institutions under the ministry, while another 43,000 received training through the Skills Development Fund (SDF).

"TVET sector is strengthening Cambodia's skilled workforce by equipping workers with knowledge, technical skills, competitiveness, resilience and adaptability to meet the rapidly evolving needs of the economy, industry and digital technology," said Mesa.

"The ministry's leadership and officials are implementing the Royal Government's policy to ensure that every citizen has at least one lifelong skill," he said, citing Prime Minister Hun Manet’s approach of "study to completion, study for skills, and study for employment."

Mesa also urged youths who have not yet enrolled in vocational and technical training to register at institutions near their communities. Youth from poor and vulnerable families continue to receive free training and financial allowances.

According to the MLVT, trainees have enrolled in sectors including construction, electricity and energy, electronics, manufacturing, general and automotive mechanics, business and information technology, services, refrigeration and air-conditioning, tourism, agriculture and agro-industry.

Ky Sokkim, Chief Executive Officer of the Skills Development Fund (SDF), said in an interview with local media that youths and workers should continuously upgrade their skills, describing skills development as a long-term investment.

He said graduates from vocational training programmes earn with an average starting salaries that are already approximately 20 percent higher than the minimum wage in Cambodia's garment sector. According to him, the 20 percent gap reflects the difference between skilled and unskilled workers, and the income gap tends to widen further in later years.

National Labour Federation of Cambodia president Sam Soeun told Khmer Times that TVET programme is highly important in helping youths, workers, and young employees gain access to stable employment opportunities and improve their living standards through free vocational training that matches current labour market demand.

He added that Cambodia's industrial sector has expanded significantly in recent years, particularly in textiles, electronics and automotive industries, increasing the need for young people to participate in TVET programmes to acquire clear, practical and quality skills that meet both current and future market needs.

"If they go through this training programme, they will definitely gain professional skills that provide them with greater job opportunities," he said. "Most importantly, skilled workers receive better salaries than those without skills."

If they go through this training programme, they will definitely gain professional skills that provide them with greater job opportunities

Sam Soeun, president, National Labour Federation of Cambodia

Regarding the TVET programme, the Cambodian government has committed to introducing vocational training in high schools from grades 10 to 12 starting in the 2025-2026 academic year.

Prime Minister Hun Manet said last week that the high school TVET programme is an important initiative aimed at strengthening workforce development.

The government plans to roll out the program in 49 high schools, providing additional career pathways for students, particularly those living near special economic zones and industrial parks, as well as those seeking to enter the labor market more quickly after graduation.

It may be recalled that the TVET programme was officially launched on November 14, 2023, with the aim of empowering young people and those from low-income and vulnerable households by offering easily accessible training pathways that will improve their standard of living and support the country's development.