Toyota, Cambodia Launch Training Center to Build Skilled Workforce

PHNOM PENH, Mar. 26, 2026 (KPT) — Cambodia has joined forces with Japanese automotive giant Toyota to establish a training center aimed at preparing skilled workers for the country’s fast-growing automotive industry, officials said Wednesday.

The initiative, sealed through a memorandum of understanding between Toyota Tsusho Manufacturing Cambodia, Toyota Cambodia, and the JVC Technical Institute, underscores a broader drive to strengthen technical and vocational education and training (TVET) through public-private partnerships.

The center will provide students with hands-on automotive skills aligned with industry standards, while supporting internships, teacher training, and curriculum development.

Labor Minister Heng Sour said the partnership marks a crucial step in bridging the gap between education and industry. “As the automotive sector continues to expand, developing a skilled workforce will be critical to sustaining growth and attracting further investment,” he said.

Toyota representatives stressed their commitment to human capital development, pledging technical expertise and training opportunities for Cambodian youth.

The move highlights deepening economic cooperation between Cambodia and Japan, with the private sector playing an increasingly central role in workforce development.

As Cambodia seeks to climb the value chain, officials say strengthening technical skills in industries such as automotive manufacturing will boost productivity, create jobs, and enhance competitiveness.

The announcement follows remarks earlier this month by Japanese supplier DENSO International Asia, which identified Cambodia as a potential hub for automotive parts manufacturing in Southeast Asia.

Masao Suematsu, senior vice president of one of the world’s largest automotive parts makers, cautioned that Cambodia must continue investing in vocational training — particularly in digital technologies, robotics, and mechatronics — to support smart factories and sustain long-term industrial growth.