The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Cambodia office and the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training officially launched the five-year “Project for Building Capacity and Establishing an Enabling Environment in ICT Majors of TVET in Cambodia” on July 18.

The project, funded by an $8 million grant from the government of the Republic of Korea (ROK), aims to enhance the curriculum of ICT majors in technical and vocational education training (TVET) institutes to meet private sector demand, improve the quality of training delivery by teachers and create an enabling environment for students through the renovation of computer labs for programming learning, said KOICA country director of the Cambodia office Ms. Choi Moon Jung at the project launch.

A total of 20 TVET institutions have been selected to receive support for ICT infrastructure under the initiative.

“I trust that this project represents a significant step forward in equipping the Cambodian workforce with the critical skills they need to thrive in the ever-evolving ICT sector,” she said at the launch event at the labour ministry.

As the world becomes increasingly digital, with Cambodia no exception, KOICA country director of the Cambodia office Ms. Choi Moon Jung noted that ICT plays an ever-greater role in the economy, driving innovation, productivity and growth.

“Among many qualifications, digital skills in ICT are crucial for individuals seeking opportunities in the job market. However, this digital transformation requires a skilled workforce capable of developing, implementing and maintaining these technologies. With this rationale, KOICA decided to support [the project],” she added.

According to KOICA country director of the Cambodia office Ms. Choi Moon Jung, the curriculum will be reviewed through consultations with the private sector, which will potentially employ the students. This will boost the digital skills of Cambodian youth and bridge the gap between workforce capacity and job market requirements.

KOICA Cambodia Office has initiated various projects to tackle challenges in the ICT sector, with a key approach to integrating digital training aspects throughout the cycle of regular education and TVET.

Similar support initiatives include the ICT Capacity Building of Lower Secondary Education in Cambodia and the Establishment of a Business Incubation System between University and Industry in Cambodia, which are implemented with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport.

With the additional support from the ROK, KOICA country director of the Cambodia office Ms. Choi Moon Jung hopes that the bilateral relationship between the two countries will flourish. She called for cooperation from all stakeholders, including the government, academia and the private sector, to build a robust and sustainable ICT talent pipeline.

“When I was in Africa, there was a proverb that said, ‘If you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together’. Now, I am in Cambodia, and I find an interesting proverb by Cambodian people which says, ‘A bunch of sticks cannot be broken’. Both proverbs show a spirit of collaboration and unity of the nation. The success of this project hinges on collaboration,” she said.

Addressing the event, labour minister Heng Sour praised the project, saying it is one of the many good achievements born from the cooperation between Cambodia and the ROK.

He highlighted the new government's forward-looking vision for the next 25 years to elevate the country to high-income status, starting with the first phase of the Pentagonal Strategy, with technology as one of its key priorities.

He said the launch of the project is a timely response to the government’s policy and the labour ministry’s strategic plan to transform technical training in order to modernise the country’s industrial structure and shift from a labour-based to a skills-based economy, in line with the vision for 2030 and 2050.

“The launch … aligns with the government’s policy direction, ensuring that each individual has at least one life skill, following Prime Minister Hun Manet’s slogan of ‘learn to completion, learn to gain knowledge and secure employment’,” Sour said.

The minister praised the ROK for its renowned reputation as a technological wonderland.

He urged all institutions selected to participate and relevant departments to ensure productive operation at all stages of the project implementation to ensure its effectiveness and success.

He also requested that KOICA continue its cooperation with the ministry in developing the technical and vocational training sectors, especially facilitating opportunities for trainees to secure internships at each of the 20 TVET institution.

Project manager Han Yongsoo delivered a presentation about the project, outlining its core activities and essential milestones.

Participants from the institutions and relevant officials expressed their commitment to the project's success.