In the quiet hours before dawn breaks over Tbong Khmum province's Ou Raing Ov district, Kong Buoy, 42, prepares for her weekend transformation, from the rice fields to the classroom.

Leaving farming life behind, she travels for three hours in a shared taxi to Phnom Penh, where she delves into the world of beauty and hairdressing at a school in the city – the National Institute of Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

This significant step from the fields to a salon is Buoy’s investment in a dream—to open a beauty shop in her village and secure a better future.

Buoy's decision was inspired by her brother, who learned to brew coffee through a similar programme, sparking her ambition to open a small beauty shop beside her farm to supplement her income.

Although the training at the school is free, Buoy incurs relatively high expenses. Each weekend, she spends about 50,000 riel ($12.50) on travel, but for meals and accommodation, she relies on her brother in the city. 

She is determined, however, seeing value in the knowledge she is acquiring from her instructors. 

"In my village, there are some training salons, but I do not think they teach the most modern techniques," Buoy says.

“But when I come to study with the teacher at this school, she shares more in-depth training, and we learn the most advanced skills,” she adds.

At a recent meeting with more than 1,000 workers at the Sihanouk Autonomous Port, held to observe the 138th International Labour Day, Prime Minister Hun Manet highlighted the ongoing success of the government’s vocational training programmes. 

“As of mid-April 2024, over 33,911 young Cambodians, including 11,759 women, have enrolled in various courses,” said Manet.

Manet emphasised the importance of the programmes, saying “Many of the benefits of training are helping yourself to have goals, helping your family, helping your community and society.”

Like Buoy, Chhe Chenda, a 51-year-old housewife and tailor from Stung Meanchey, found her calling in the same beauty school.

Chenda, who manages her household and sews school uniforms during the week, uses her equity card for skills training on weekends. Despite starting late, Chenda is passionate about her new profession. 

Students study the latest hair dressing techniques in Phnom Penh, as part of the government's vocational training programme. At present, more than 30,000 Cambodians are taking part in various courses, all of which are provided free of charge. Labour Ministry

“It’s a bit overdue because I’m old and just learning the profession of hair and makeup that I love,” Chenda shares, highlighting the school's role in empowering women beyond conventional age barriers.

As the eldest daughter in her family, she was compelled to forgo higher education and vocational training to start working at the age of 16, supporting her family as a tailor. 

Now, by venturing into the beauty industry, Chenda aspires to open her own salon. She acknowledges the need for more practical experience, particularly due to the financial hurdles involved.

Chenda strongly advocates for vocational training, emphasising its critical role for women who are passionate about their crafts. 

“Some of the benefits of training are helping yourself to have goals, helping your family, helping your community and society," Chenda explains.

"When we can help ourselves, society can stop worrying about our family's problems,” she tells The Post. 

She also sees potential in government support for vocational graduates. If the government were to facilitate job creation for trainees by establishing places for them to work, Chenda believes it would enhance their prospects post-training, as they would be provided with more than just skills, but actual employment opportunities.

The Cambodian government, under its 7th mandate, is committed to expanding the scope and quality of vocational training. 

With a strategic plan that runs until 2035, the government aims to mould a skilled workforce that will propel the country to a high middle-income status by 2030 and a high-income status by 2050.

A pivotal moment came on November 11, 2023, when the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Cambodian Chamber of Commerce and 17 employer associations. 

This agreement ensures that approximately 7,000 factories and vocational enterprises will accept students for internships, offering them real-world experience. 

Labour minister Heng Sour explained during the roll-out of the project in November that the ministry is revamping the competency-based curriculum for 38 skills, with a focus on practical work modules and the development of soft skills conducive to teamwork and job satisfaction.

Katta Orn, ministry spokesperson, noted widespread enthusiasm for the initiative.

“So far, 30,000 students have registered and nearly 20,000 are studying,” he says.

He added that the ministry provides a monthly allowance of 280,000 riel ($68) to support disadvantaged youth, reflecting the government’s efforts to nurture human capital in response to Cambodia's evolving economic landscape.

Orn noted that the ministry has facilitated connections between companies and young people, providing opportunities for meaningful encounters, particularly for post-graduate students through the ministry’s National Employment Agency (NEA).

“This initiative is designed to bridge the gap between training and employment, enhancing career prospects for the youth of Cambodia,” he tells The Post. 

A 40-year-old woman, who identified herself as Khim, expressed her curiosity in learning about electrical work to assist with maintaining her home.

"I may be too old to pursue a career in this field like younger women," Khim said, adding “But I can still manage some of the electrical work in my own home”.

According to the 2022 Economic Census of Cambodia, the number of economic entities in the Kingdom increased by nearly 50 per cent over the last decade, reaching 753,670. Notably, about 69 per cent of these businesses are owned or represented by women. 

The census explained that these businesses, predominantly in the service sector, employ nearly 2.98 million people, 1.84 million of them women. Conducted across various sectors, excluding agriculture and government, the census underscored the significant role of women in Cambodia's business landscape.

According to Hing Sideth, director general of the General Department of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (DGTVET), in January 2024, the five most popular courses were Business and Information Technology, General Mechanical and Automotive, Air Conditioning and Heating, and Tourism.

Several institutes stand out for their comprehensive vocational and technical training programmes, which are tailored to meet the diverse needs of the workforce, according to the department’s website.

For instance, the National Polytechnic Institute of Cambodia (NPIC) in Phnom Penh offers nine specialised majors, catering to a wide array of technical skills. Similarly, the National Technical Training Institute (NTTI) and the Preah Kossomak Polytechnic Institute (PPI) are offering exceptional opportunities.

Both located in Phnom Penh, they provide seven and fourteen majors respectively.

Expanding beyond the capital, the Regional Polytechnic Institutes Techo Sen have established themselves in various provinces, offering tailored programmes that reflect regional demands and opportunities. 

Battambang, Siem Reap, Takeo, and Kampot provinces are each home to one of these institutes, offering between seven to eleven majors, and therefore playing a crucial role in decentralising education and making technical training accessible across the country. 

The strategic distribution of these institutes helps ensure that students from different regions have the opportunity to acquire essential skills close to home, fostering local economic development and reducing educational disparity.