Institutional capacity building
Employers lead national dialogue on skills and productivity in Cambodia
The Cambodian Federation of Employers and Business Associations, with support from the International Labour Organization, held a workshop on skills and productivity to strengthen councils connecting employers and training institutions. The event highlighted public–private collaboration as key to building a competitive, future-ready workforce in Cambodia.
1 October 2025
Phnom Penh, Cambodia (ILO News)- The Cambodian Federation of Employers and Business Associations (CAMFEBA) convened a high-level Validation Workshop on Skills and Productivity with its members and key partners, underscoring the pivotal role of sector skills councils (SSCs) in shaping Cambodia’s workforce and driving future economic growth.
The workshop, organized with the technical and policy support of the International Labour Organization (ILO), brought together representatives from leading industries, employer associations, training institutions, trade unions, and government agencies. Participants reviewed ongoing initiatives to strengthen SSCs, which serve as vital platforms linking industry needs with skills policies, curriculum design, and training delivery.
Opening the workshop, CAMFEBA President Oknha Sok Piseth stressed the importance of equipping the workforce with relevant, future-ready skills.
Cambodia’s economic competitiveness will increasingly depend on the productivity and adaptability of its workforce. Sector skills councils are the bridge between employers and the education and training system. By strengthening them, we ensure that investments in skills deliver the capabilities that businesses truly need. AMFEBA President Oknha Sok Piseth
The workshop also validated findings from CAMFEBA’s recent survey on skills gaps and productivity challenges, carried out with ILO support, which highlighted critical needs in manufacturing, services, and emerging green and digital sectors. Members emphasized the urgency of responsive training systems that equip workers with practical skills, particularly in industries such as construction, agro-processing, and manufacturing.
Minister of Labour and Vocational Training, H.E. Heng Sour, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to public-private collaboration in building a skilled workforce.
The Royal Government recognizes that quality jobs and higher productivity come from effective cooperation between the public and private sectors. Sector skills councils will be critical to linking training institutions with real market demand and to supporting Cambodia’s vision of becoming a more competitive, knowledge-based economy. Minister of Labour and Vocational Training, H.E. Heng Sour
The ILO has been a longstanding partner in advancing Cambodia’s skills development agenda, supporting CAMFEBA and the Ministry of Labour in establishing and piloting SSCs, promoting evidence-based policy dialogue, and sharing global good practices. This collaboration also supports Cambodia’s efforts under the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions, which prioritizes investments in skills for decent work and sustainable growth.
Discussions at the workshop focused on improving coordination among ministries, employers, and training providers; leveraging public-private partnerships to finance skills development; and aligning SSC initiatives with national strategies such as the Pentagon Strategy – Phase I, the Industrial Development Policy, and commitments under the Global Accelerator.
Concluding the event, CAMFEBA President Sok Piseth called on employers to take a more proactive role in SSCs, particularly in supporting the establishment of a dedicated SSC Secretariat in 2026.
Productivity is the key to higher wages and more competitive enterprises. Through strong partnerships on skills, we can unlock the potential of our workforce and help Cambodia seize opportunities in regional and global value chains. CAMFEBA President Sok Piseth
The workshop wrapped up with agreement on concrete next steps, including identifying occupational standards, sharing data on skills demand, and supporting workplace-based learning. The CAMFEBA Skills & Productivity Policy Framework will now be finalized and formally launched at the end of the year.