Under the banner “Vocational Training: A Pathway to Prosperous Careers,” the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training hosted its 6th Annual National Day of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) on June 15-16.
The event, held at Phnom Penh’s Koh Pich Convention and Exhibition Centre, captivated students from local schools.
The exhibition attracted substantial attention, particularly from students hailing from various schools across Phnom Penh. It served as a pivotal platform for educators in the field to emphasise the indispensable value of technical and vocational education. Furthermore, the event actively encouraged students to contemplate vocational education as a viable path once they conclude their high school journey.
Thoeurn Kimly, an engineering teacher at the National Polytechnic Institute of Cambodia, seized this opportunity to elucidate the value of technical and vocational education to the students. He highlighted the numerous job prospects available to students upon graduation.
“Most students lack a clear understanding of the benefits of polytechnic education. This exhibition offered a platform to demonstrate its significance and to clarify the requirements for such studies,” he explained.
Kimly elaborated that the programme could expose students to updated information on the job market, potentially sparking interest in lesser-known skills and career paths.
“By studying vocational subjects like mechanics and engineering, students are not limiting their job prospects, but rather expanding their opportunities with leading companies,” he assured.
Kimly’s engineering class, albeit consisting of only 50 final-year students, serves as a testament to his assertion. Upon the completion of their studies, these students are swiftly recruited by major companies, evidencing a high demand that outpaces the supply of qualified graduates.
“These polytechnic skills are challenging to master, but the effort is well-rewarded. Most of our graduates find employment in prominent companies, such as the top beer brewers or water suppliers in Cambodia. However, the pool of human resources equipped with these mechanical skills is still insufficient,” Kimly added.
Echoing these sentiments, Say Manich, a doctoral candidate and full-time researcher at the Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ICT), also acknowledged the glaring deficit of students and technical experts in relation to the needs of the labour market. He advocated for proactive measures to draw more students towards vocational training.
“In my opinion, for an increase in student enrolment in technical skills training, the onus falls on both schools and companies,” Manich observed.
He proposed that schools should strive to enhance the quality of vocational education, thereby making it more appealing to students. Meanwhile, companies should consider offering additional incentives to educators to further attract prospective learners.
“By implementing these measures, students will be more inclined to acquire these skills, leading to a much-needed balance in labour market supply and demand,” Manich stated.
Further underscoring the importance of vocational skills, Ith Samheng, the Minister of Labour and Vocational Training, appealed to the younger generation during the event. He urged them to consider technical and vocational training as a lucrative pathway towards secure employment and potential entrepreneurship.
“The acquisition of technical and vocational skills is not merely a means to secure employment or establish a business. It is a sustainable way to ensure personal livelihood and contributes significantly to our national economic development,” Samheng stated.
