Minister of the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training Ith Samheng has requested the Cambodia Development Resource Institute (CDRI) to find a mechanism to encourage the private sector to open more technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutes, which the country desperately needs.
Samheng has also requested the CDRI to study and research weaknesses and loopholes in government policy related to the TVET sector and skills development.
He also asked the CDRI to study government policy related to the TVET sector, the Rectangular Strategy-Phase 4, The National Strategic Development Plan (NSDP) 2019-2023, Industrial Development Policy, National Employment Policy and National Technical Vocational Education and Training Policy, to make sure that those policies are more responsive and align with the current labour market demand for future jobs.
Samheng added that the ministry has pushed the TVET sector through the strengthening of the National Training Committee mechanism, expanding and strengthening public-private
partnerships and continues to push the Career Development Strategic Plan and Vocational Technical Training in Cambodia by setting up a masterplan, aim at strengthening the ability and efficiency of the operation of the 38 vocational institutions operated under the ministry.
“There should be an incentive mechanism to push the private sector to invest more in the TVET institutions to train more of the labour force to serve market demand, Samheng added.
Speaking to Samheng about research projects on education
and vocational training, CDRI Executive Director Pech Sokhem showed strong commitment on collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training to achieve a fruitful research study to support the government policies to promote the TVET sector in Cambodia.
He also sought recommendation from the Labour minister for other research topics that enable the CDRI to include research projects that are the priority of the ministry.
Samheng has also requested the CDRI to add the section on the job response and skill demand which matches with the current economic diversification such as the agro-industry, food processing and other work that requires a more skilled labour force to ensure that youths have jobs and to ensure the sustainability of vocational training to ensure the “One youth, One skill for the whole life” policy and to the promote knowledge of vocational training, especially those that push socio-economic development to reach a higher level.
Samheng added that the current market demands more skilled labour but youths are not interested in this field. However, the minister requested the CDRI to study this sector to attract more youths to the TVET sector.
This article was first published in Khmer Times. All contents and images are copyright to their respective owners and sources.
