National Career and Productivity Fair 2025

Background

With a significant number of young people in Cambodia entering the labour market annually, there is a pressing need for the country to tackle employment challenges faced by youth. Creating opportunities for decent employment and facilitating the smooth transition from education/training to employment are essential steps.

The National Career and Productivity Fair (NCPF) is organized for the 15th year by the National Employment Agency (NEA), Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training Cambodia among other employment promotion activities, plays a pivotal role in addressing these urgent needs. As a specialized agency of the United Nations dedicated to advancing social justice and promoting decent work, the International Labour Organization (ILO) is well-positioned to support the organization and execution of NCPF to address the following issues in Cambodia’s labour market:

1. Youth Employment Challenges: Cambodia has a high employment rate, but the quality of employment is a significant concern. A large proportion of youth are engaged in informal employment, lacking social protection and job security. The NCPF can contribute to addressing these issues by connecting youth with formal employment opportunities.
2. Skills Mismatch: There is a notable mismatch between the skills possessed by youth and the requirements of the labour market. The NCPF can serve as a venue for promoting vocational training and skills development programmes that align with market needs.
3. High NEET Rates: A significant proportion of Cambodian youth are not in education, employment, or training (NEET). The NCPF can provide these youth with information and opportunities to re-engage in education or training or enter the workforce.
4. Vulnerable Groups: The NCPF specifically targets vulnerable groups, including women, youth with disabilities, who face additional barriers to employment. By providing tailored support and opportunities to ensure their participation in the NCPF, the FEP can help these groups gain access to decent work or internship opportunities.
5. Economic Growth and Demographic Dividend: Cambodia’s young population presents a demographic dividend that can drive economic growth if harnessed effectively. The NCPF can contribute to this by ensuring that youth are equipped with the skills and opportunities needed to participate in the economy.
6. Impact of COVID-19: The pandemic has exacerbated existing vulnerabilities in the labour market, particularly for youth. The fair can play a crucial role in the post-pandemic recovery by facilitating job and internship placements and promoting sectors with high growth potential, such as digital and green technologies.

Under the theme “A Pathway to Productivity: Bridging Skills, Technology, and Job Opportunities”, this year’s NCPF will be held at Koh Pich Convention and Exhibition Center in Phnom Penh. With its spacious venue, it is expected to attract more than 30,000 visitors, 150 renowned companies, enterprises, training providers, and national and international organizations, offering over 30,000 job vacancies.

Objectives

• To provide a platform for youth, including those from ILO projects’ target groups, to connect with potential employers and training providers and explore various career, internship, volunteering and scholarship opportunities.
• To facilitate the transition from education/training to employment by offering job-matching services and platform for recruitment during and after the fair.
• To address the skills mismatch in the labour market by promoting vocational training and skills development programmes, and other professional development programmes.
• To support the inclusion of vulnerable and marginalized youth, including youth with disabilities, in the labour market.
• To increase awareness, foster productive mindsets, promote work productivity among participants, in particular youth, and encourage them to view themselves as an important part of the workforce that is driving Cambodia’s productivity and economic growth, through a panel discussion featuring guest speakers sharing their experiences in labour and technology sectors.
• To foster networking among the ministries, institutions, and companies participating in the NCPF 2025.