PHNOM PENH: The EU and Cambodia’s Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MLVT) are co-hosting the Sept 16-17 “Closing the Gap” workshop.
The event, held in Phnom Penh, has brought together over 50 regional stakeholders from governments, vocational education and training (TVET) institutions, the private sector and international organisations across the Asean member states and Timor-Leste.
“The workshop aims to align TVET systems with the labour market’s needs, with a particular focus on the agri-food sector, a vital component of the Asean economy,” according to a press release.
The workshop featured the launch of a new study on the employability of TVET graduates within the agri-food sector.
“This event provides a valuable platform for sharing experiences between Asean and the EU,” noted labour minister Heng Sour.
“Cambodia is committed to enhancing TVET to ensure our young people are prepared for decent work in the digital and green economy. In Cambodia alone, over 50,000 additional jobs could be created by processing cashew nuts,” he added.
The research provides insights into employment outcomes for vocational graduates, revealing high employment rates alongside ongoing skills mismatches.
It highlights the critical need for more effective alignment between education systems and the evolving demands of the workforce in Asean.
Igor Driesmans, EU ambassador to Cambodia, reaffirmed the EU’s support for job creation and workforce development in the region.
He said Europe offers numerous support measures for job creation in Asean, and the development of a skilled workforce in the agri-food sector is one of them.
“The potential within the Asean agri-food sector is enormous, and the EU will continue to assist farmers, producers and exporters as they seek to benefit from European expertise and access the European market,” said Driesmans.
The EU’s ongoing partnership with Asean aims to foster a resilient and skilled workforce, contributing to the sustainable growth of the agri-food sector across the region. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
