The number of young people from poor and vulnerable families, as well as members of the general public, applying to enrol in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training program (TVET 1.5M) reached almost 150,000 in 2025. Among them, more than 62,000 applicants hold ID Poor Equity Cards.
According to Sun Mesa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, as of December 2025 a total of 148,272 students had applied for the TVET 1.5M programme. Of them, 62,581 students hold Equity Cards. The total number of students currently studying or who have completed their studies stands at 86,730.
As of December 2025, 79,285 students had completed their studies, including 39,199 Equity Card holders. 51,591 students have secured employment, among whom 26,866 are Equity Card holders.
Mesa encouraged Cambodian workers returning from Thailand to enrol in these training courses to increase household income, contribute to job stability and support national economic development.
“With clear and solid skills, people will be able to work in enterprises, companies and factories, and will also be able to start their own businesses more easily,” he said.
The Technical and Vocational Skills Training Program for 1.5 million youth from poor and vulnerable families was initiated by former Prime Minister Hun Sen in 2023 and officially implemented under Prime Minister Hun Manet on November 14, 2023.
As of July 2025, approximately 77,000 apprentices had been placed. They are currently undertaking apprenticeships at enterprises, companies, and factories — more than 2,000 institutions registered with the labour ministry.
