ILO/China Partnership strengthens Cambodia’s future-ready workforce

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (ILO News) – Thousands of young Cambodians explored cutting-edge technologies and career opportunities in emerging industries during Cambodia’s 8th National Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Day, held on 15–16 June 2025.

The event, supported by the ILO/China Partnership Programme, drew 31,688 participants, including 11,798 women and more than 50 persons with disabilities, from government agencies, employers, TVET institutions, international organizations and the general public. Their enthusiastic participation underscored a growing recognition of the value of technical and vocational skills in securing decent work and driving national development.
Under the theme “TVET Creates Job Opportunities, Builds Hope for Youth,” the celebration emphasised the role of South-South Cooperation under the ILO/China Partnership Programme in transforming Cambodia’s skills landscape and fostering inclusive workforce development.

A major highlight was the signing of three new Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between Cambodian and Chinese TVET institutions under the ILO–China South-South Cooperation Programme, namely Guangzhou Trade and Technician College with National Polytechnic Institute of Cambodia, Beijing Industrial Technician College with Industrial Technical Institute, and Dali Technician College with Preah Kossomak Polytechnic Institute.

These agreements aim at strengthening institutional capacity, modernising curricula, and promoting joint initiatives such as trainer development, student exchanges, and technology transfer in priority sectors like electric vehicles and green technology. Supported by the ILO-China Skills Programme, these partnerships reflect Cambodia’s strategy to align its TVET system with emerging technologies and global industry standards.

The National TVET Day also featured over 200 exhibition booths, including those of the Chinese TVET institutes, showcasing student innovations, advanced training tools, and modern production processes from a wide range of institutions, companies and development partners.

Heng Sour, Minister of Labour and Vocational Training of Cambodia, visited the booths, showing great interest in student-made artefacts and skill demonstrations. He spoke with the presidents of the three technician colleges and encouraged deeper peer-to-peer cooperation between Cambodian and Chinese institutions.

Reflecting on the event’s impact, Tian Feng, Manager of the ILO/China Partnership Programme, remarked: “The 2025 National TVET Day, supported by the ILO/China Partnership Programme on Skills Development, has clearly demonstrated how South-South Cooperation can serve as a powerful catalyst for skills transformation in Cambodia. Through our collaboration with Chinese TVET institutions we are not only modernising training systems and curricula but also creating meaningful opportunities for young people to gain skills relevant to emerging industries. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to inclusive, sustainable development and building a future-ready workforce.”