The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically impacted and revealed the vulnerability of skills and lifelong learning systems, including Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) providers, that faced closures due to the pandemic. Therefore, a strategic approach is needed to reskill and upskill people to boost their employability and ensure accelerated economic development. To contribute addressing the disruption brought by the pandemic on TVET in Cambodia and prepare the system for industry 4.0, the ILO, together with the ITCILO works with the government, TVET institutions and social partners in Cambodia to support the digital transformation of the TVET system.

Digitalization involves the transformation of classic TVET curricula and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) assessment packages into blended ones. As a part of the TVET digital transformation process, a Digital TVET Core Team comprising of members of public and private TVET institutions, employers’ and workers’ organizations, who will act as multipliers to lead and support the digital transformation process of the TVET system in Cambodia, has been formed. To ensure their effective participation in the process, the Core Team has been provided with intensive coaching from the International Training Centre of the International Labour Organization (ITCILO) and ILO specialists from ILO Geneva headquarter and ILO Bangkok regional office on a “Towards Blended TVET Curricula and Assessment Packages” course.

The on-going course provides the Core Team with spaces for a reflection on how to overcome the existing challenges in the digitalization of TVET curricula and assessment packages and collaboratively establish effective, accessible, and inclusive blended pedagogical and instructional approaches to develop the competencies of the TVET workforce. The coaching process also equips the Core Team with competency to analyze the existing labour market digitalization needs and develop responsive and competence-oriented curricula to cope with the new industry/sector demands, and to bridge the gap between the current situation and the resources needed to thrive in the digitalization process of their industries and sectors.

The initial steps towards the digital transformation of TVET in Cambodia, have been possible thanks to the contribution of Korea, with additional assistance from the governments of China, Switzerland and SIDA project. In addition, a new ILO program developed in partnership with the government of New Zealand will allow supporting the digital transformation of TVET in Cambodia until the end of 2023.