PHNOM PENH: Prime Minister Hun Sen stressed the importance of the continued promotion of and enrollment in technical and vocational programs so that those entering the job market have the knowledge and skills to be competitive. The Prime Minister released an official statement today in recognition of the National Day of Technical and Vocational Education and Training, or TVET, which is meant to promote Cambodia’s skilled labor force.

In his official statement, the Prime Minister commended the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training and other relevant institutions on their efforts to implement policies and in-depth reforms set by the Royal Government towards education, technical and vocational training. He also recognized the importance of the private sector, development partners and NGOs.

According to the Prime Minister, the Royal Government has taken important measures to provide equitable access to training, including providing scholarships to disadvantaged populations such as school drop-outs, women, the poor, the disabled, and indigenous populations.

He noted that over the last five years, about 300,000 trainees, students and workers have received training and graduated from programs that teach and improve marketable skills, allowing them the opportunity for better jobs and even self-employment, which increases household incomes and boosts the national economy overall.

Minister of Labor Ith Samheng spoke at a conference celebrating the 6th annual TVET Day, emphasizing the government’s commitment to developing Cambodia’s labor force through technical and vocational training. He noted the government’s plan to provide technical and vocational training to 1.5 million poor and vulnerable people nationwide, which will attract new investment and allow individuals to work for themselves.

He noted that the program plays an important role of meeting Cambodia’s economic goals set for the coming years. He said, "We hope that through this project, Cambodia’s workforce in technical, vocational, and educational fields will achieve what is needed to develop the country’s professional strength. It is an important step towards turning Cambodia into a high-middle-income country by 2030 and a high-income country by 2050. We really need these skills.”

Prime Minister Hun Sen requested the cooperation of all relevant stakeholders to support the government’s initiative to train and educate the poor in skilled labor. He asked that government TV stations and public and private media help spread the word about TVET to raise public awareness about the importance of this sector.