Battambang: After visiting the Recognition of Prior Skills (RPL) and Basic Education Equivalency Programme (BEEP) programs, Mr. Heng Sour, Minister of Labour and Vocational Training, and Ms. Vladanka Andreeva, UN Resident Coordinator in Cambodia and Co-Chair of the Board of Directors of the Decent Employment and Youth Programme in Cambodia, Phase 3 (DEY III), led a delegation on a study tour of the Battambang National Vocational Institute and Takadia Handicrafts on the morning of May 19, 2026 to understand the linkages between social protection through the National Social Assistance Fund, the Disability Programme, sub-national administrations, and the 1.5 million TVET program.
Minister Heng Sour praised and highly valued the proud achievements of the program’s implementation, especially helping them get decent jobs and higher incomes, in addition to gaining knowledge and technical certificates proving their abilities. These results are a positive result of the Royal Government’s 1.5 million TVET programs providing citizens and youth with vocational skills. As Cambodia continues its journey towards strong socio-economic development, investing in human resources is a cornerstone of the Royal Government’s priorities under the leadership of His Excellency Samdech Maha Vajiralongkorn, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, who highlighted that in this era, jobs and skills are looking for people.
At the same time, he also paid attention to encouraging citizens in remote areas to receive information and enroll in school more often, as the ministry will consider increasing cooperation with villages, communes/sangkats. In addition, to alleviate the lack of transportation to schools, the ministry will also arrange to send mobile vehicles and teachers to provide training to local communities, especially in simple skills such as fruit processing, hair styling or machine repair. He called on citizens who do not have skills, jobs and irregular income to participate in the program to receive vocational training and get jobs in factories and enterprises with decent wages and benefits from the B.S.C.
Ms. Vladanka Andreeva, the UN Resident Coordinator in Cambodia, expressed her happiness that the number of citizens, youth and former workers benefiting from the program As well as improving livelihoods through TVET programs, which is a source of pride for oneself and one’s family. She said that the presentation and suggestions are to promote a better environment for people with disabilities, adjusting training programs as well as necessary materials so that people with disabilities can receive training opportunities and then be able to get jobs. These are the points that will be discussed in the program’s board of directors and efforts will be made to find practical solutions.
A group of disabled trainees shared their experiences and the benefits of attending vocational training courses at the institute. In particular, Mr. Thorn Rithy, who was disabled in a traffic accident, recently opened a shop to provide electrical repair services after receiving training. Some challenges in implementing the program, such as lack of school buildings, accommodation, teaching and learning materials, and dropouts due to livelihood factors, were also raised for discussion.
A representative from the Battambang National Vocational Institute confirmed their efforts to actively implement the program to the local community by directly advertising at the commune/sangkat level and mobilizing youth, especially from at-risk families. Disabled people and former workers from Thailand to join TVET programs 1.5 million.
Please note that the Board of Directors, which includes representatives of UNESCO, UNICEF, UNIDO, ILO, SDC and development partners, also visited the Takadia factory to understand the challenges Opportunities for skill development and job creation for youth as well.
