Cambodia Launches Skills Development Drive to Boost Workforce and Productivity

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (October.01, 2025) — The Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, in partnership with employer groups, worker representatives, and development partners, has reaffirmed its commitment to closing skills gaps and enhancing productivity across Cambodia’s labor force.

Minister Heng Sour presided over the opening of a national workshop titled “Skills Priorities and Productivity for the Future of Cambodia,” held Tuesday at Raffles Le Royal Hotel in Phnom Penh.

The event was organized by the Cambodian Federation of Employers and Business Associations (CAMFEBA) and brought together senior officials, representatives from the International Labour Organization (ILO), and key stakeholders from the public and private sectors.

“The platform today enables us to gather valuable input that will guide government efforts to prioritize and invest in skills that matter most,” Heng Sour said.

He emphasized the need to align education and training with market demands and called on private companies to offer internships and apprenticeships to bridge the gap between theory and practice.

CAMFEBA President Sok Piseth said the forum’s outcomes would inform the 2025–2030 Medium-Term Strategy, aimed at improving national productivity and workforce competitiveness.

“Public-private collaboration is essential to meet the demands of an increasingly competitive labor market,” he said.

ILO National Coordinator Tun Sophorn added that transitioning Cambodia’s labor force from low-skilled to high-skilled is vital for long-term development and economic diversification.

Participants agreed that sustained cooperation among government agencies, employers, workers, and international partners is key to building a resilient and future-ready workforce.