The Garment Manufacturers Association of Cambodia will build a training centre for garment workers in the Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone on the western outskirts of the capital, according to a statement released yesterday, with the opening slated for September 2016.

Construction on the centre, which is being financed by a $3 million loan from France’s development agency, is set to begin before the end of this month.

According to GMAC secretary-general Ken Loo, courses for the centre have not yet been decided.

Loo added that the centre was aimed at “all levels” of garment sector employees and would help the industry further establish itself.

“There is a gap in the human resources pool here in Cambodia,” Loo said.

“Having workers with more knowledge of the industry, that’s one way of having it grow roots in Cambodia.”

Last week, GMAC released a report claiming that Cambodian garment workers had significantly lower productivity levels than their Vietnamese and Thai counterparts, arguing that higher wages and a proliferation of unions would damage the industry’s competitiveness.