Cambodia Expands Mechatronics Training to Drive Automation in Manufacturing

PHNOM PENH, Mar. 10, 2026 (KPT) — Cambodia is scaling up mechatronics and automation training to prepare its workforce for advanced manufacturing systems, Labour Minister Heng Sour said at the Cambodia–ASEAN Business Summit.

Responding to concerns over a skills gap in robotics and automation, Sour said automated systems are already being integrated into garment, footwear and travel goods factories. “Automation already exists in our factories,” he noted, adding that modern production lines increasingly rely on robotics for manufacturing, packaging and storage.

The push comes as Masao Suematsu, Senior Vice President of DENSO International Asia, said Cambodia could become a hub for internal combustion engine parts production as Thailand shifts toward electric vehicles. He stressed the need for investment in technical and vocational training to support smart factories.

Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol said Cambodia is prioritizing industrial diversification, with more than 1.5 million students enrolled under a national TVET program launched in 2023.

Sour acknowledged automation remains limited but said the government is shifting training from traditional mechanical skills to mechatronics — combining mechanical engineering, electronics, automation and computer control.

With expanded facilities and support from development partners, Cambodia expects to graduate 1,000 mechatronics students annually by 2030, building the skilled workforce needed for higher value added manufacturing.