A project to support vocational training

Cambodia’s growth is one of the most robust in the region. However, this economic dynamism comes up against a number of structural weaknesses, particularly relating to a lack of qualifications among the workforce, forcing employers to recruit managers from neighbouring countries. This situation increases wage costs and hampers Cambodian employees from rising to better-paid positions. The recent project follows a first phase funded by ADB, which has had a notable effect on the development of skills standards and increased the competences of employees in provincial centres.

This project aims to better meet the training needs of the labour market, in four priority sectors: construction, mechanics, electricity and manufacturing production.

It is organised around three complementary components:

• Promoting access to vocational training through a scholarship system, gateways, skills certification and an efficient social marketing strategy. The goal is to promote training programmes, especially for women;
• Improving the quality of vocational training and involvement of the private sector;
• Strengthening the governance and management of the vocational training system.

This project will allow: 

• Development of a skilled workforce, with macroeconomic effects on labour productivity and growth;
• Productive sectors to be more competitive in comparison with other ASEAN countries;
• Development of public-private dialogue to create a better match between the training offers and the labour market’s needs;
• Equal access to training and employment, especially for women.