From uncertainty to confidence: Yann Ratha’s journey into Cambodia’s EV future

Phnom Penh (ILO News) - When Yann Ratha joined the New Energy Vehicle (NEV) Inspection, Maintenance and Repair training, he saw it as more than a technical course. For him, it was an opportunity to prepare himself and his institute for a future where electric vehicles will become an important part of Cambodia’s green transport transition.

Ratha is a teacher at the Regional Polytechnic Institute Techo Sen Svay Rieng, a technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institute in southeastern Cambodia. Before the training, Ratha had limited exposure to electric vehicle systems.

“I understood that EV technology was becoming increasingly relevant, but several areas remained difficult to teach with confidence,” said Ratha.
“High-voltage systems, in particular, is a major concern. Without proper training, handling, isolating and working around high-voltage components could be intimidating and risky.”

The two-week training course, supported by the ILO/China Partnership Programme on Skills Development through South-South Cooperation, and the Skills Development Fund (SDF), helped bridge this gap.

Delivered by Chinese experts at the Beijing Industrial Technician College, the programme gave Ratha access to technical knowledge and practical learning that are still limited in many local training institutions. Through the course, he learned how to apply safe work practices for high-voltage systems, understand electric drivetrains and charging infrastructure, use specialized diagnostic tools, interpret fault codes, and approach EV repair in a more systematic way.

The change was not only technical. The training also strengthened Ratha’s confidence as a teacher. He moved from having uncertainty about EV systems to being able to engage with the technology more actively. In his own reflection, the course helped him, “apply innovation in EV technology, rather than just observe.”

“This shift is important. It shows how targeted capacity building can transform teachers from learners of new technology into future drivers of skills development,” said Tian Feng, ILO-China Partnership Project Manager.

Ratha is now better prepared to support the future development of electric vehicle programme at his institute and to turn the training into wider institutional impact.

His story demonstrates the value of South-South Cooperation in supporting Cambodia’s green and digital skills transition. By connecting Cambodian TVET teachers with technical expertise and modern training practices in China, the project is helping Cambodia prepare for emerging green jobs and new skills demands.