Minister of Labour and Vocational Training Ith Samheng has said that Cambodia is committed to advancing human resource development, specifically focusing on skilled labour, in order to meet labour market needs in the digital era.

Samheng noted that Cambodia needs about 60,000 skilled labourers annually.

In an interview with a TV programme last week, Samheng explained that his ministry is responsible for developing human resources, particularly skilled labour, in order to meet market demand.

He said human resource development is one of the government’s five key priorities.

“Under the ongoing sixth government mandate, our focus for modernisation is the vocational training sector. This is due to the emergence of new technologies such as Industry 4.0 and various digital advancements. Currently, we are witnessing a novel integration of digital and mechanical technologies, a development stage previously unseen,” he said.

He added that the advent of new technology requires adaptation and adjustments in training programmes, through modernisation, partnerships with development partners and the private sector, all key players in skill development.

He said the Cambodian labour market requires between 200,000 to 300,000 labour forces each year, of which 50,000 to 60,000 are skilled labour.

“Each year we increase the number of labour forces who need training before entering the labour market. In 2018, we trained more than 52,000, in 2019 we trained more than 62,000, in 2020 more than 51,000, and more than 50,000 in 2021 and 2022 respectively,” he elaborated.

Sour Chlonh, communication officer at the Building and Wood Workers Trade Union Federation of Cambodia (BWTUC), mentioned that while providing skilled labour training is beneficial, relevant institutions and ministries need to expand the opportunities for individuals to receive the training.

“Cambodia lacks an adequate skilled labour force, especially in the construction sector. Individuals might manage sites but they often lack officially recognised skill certificates. Despite their ability to work effectively, the absence of these certificates prevents them from earning higher wages,” he said.

Chlonh pointed out that barriers to increasing skilled labour include a lack of information dissemination for people to get more training, such as in the construction sector. Simplifying the process could also be beneficial.

Samheng stated that labour skills are provided not only by the state but also by the private sector, offering both long and short courses locally and abroad. The ministry focuses not only on factories, but on a wide range of other sectors, as long as it meets the market demand.

He said in the upcoming seventh government mandate, the labour ministry will continue to improve labour and vocational training.

“The vocational training sector is key and the government has already set a target of training 1.5 million youths. This would help us a lot in solving the problems we are facing,” he said.