Provincial Employment and Internship Forum in Battambang 2025

Given Cambodia’s youthful demographic and the significant number of youths entering the labour market annually, there is a pressing need for the country to tackle the employment challenges faced by youth. Creating opportunities for decent employment and facilitating a smooth transition from education and training to employment are essential steps. The Provincial Employment Forum (PEF), among other employment promotion activities, plays a pivotal role in addressing these urgent needs and the following labour market challenges in Cambodia:

• 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 PEF in Battambang can contribute to addressing these issues by connecting youth with formal employment opportunities.

• Skills Mismatch: There is a notable mismatch between the skills possessed by youth and the requirements of the labour market. The PEF can serve as a venue for promoting vocational training and skills development programmes that align with market needs.

• High NEET Rates: A significant proportion of Cambodian youth are not in education, employment, or training (NEET). The PEF can provide these youth with information and opportunities to re-engage in education or training or enter the workforce.

• Vulnerable Groups: The PEF specifically targets groups in vulnerable situations, including women, youth with disabilities, and returned migrant workers, who face additional barriers to employment. By providing tailored support and opportunities to ensure their participation in the PEF, the FEP can help these groups gain access to decent work or internship opportunities.

• Economic Growth and Demographic Dividend: Cambodia’s young population presents a demographic dividend that can drive economic growth if harnessed effectively. The PEF can contribute to this by ensuring that youth are equipped with the skills and opportunities needed to participate in the economy.

• 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.

The main objectives of this Provincial Career and Internship Fair are as follows:

• For Students and jobseekers: To access a wide range of job opportunities, career guidance, internship, volunteer and scholarship opportunities at potential institutions, companies, enterprises, and training institutes. The fair also provides them an opportunity to participate in pre-employment training sessions to enhance their job readiness by equipping them with essential skills, developing confidence, and increasing overall employability.
  
• For Employers: To promote job openings and recruitment opportunities, attracting competent and motivated jobseekers
  
• For Training providers: To disseminate training programmes, curricula, and other professional development programmes that support workforce readiness and lifelong learning.

The Provincial Career and Internship Fair in Battambang 2025 will be organized by the National Employment Agency (NEA) of the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MLVT) and through the collaboration with the Battambang Provincial Hall, the Battambang Union of Youth Federations in Cambodia (UYFC), the Regional Polytechnic Institute Techo Sen Battambang, and supported by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of the People's Republic of China, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and UNICEF.