Cambodia Investment Review
Pernod Ricard Cambodia has entered into a new partnership with Pour un Sourire dāEnfant (PSE), a leading NGO dedicated to improving the lives of disadvantaged children in Cambodia, to enhance vocational education and industry exposure in the Kingdomās growing food and beverage sector.
The collaboration, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), underscores a shared commitment to sustainable development, community engagement, and youth empowerment. The initiative is set to support PSEās mission of offering young Cambodians professional training that leads to meaningful careers, with a specific focus on the hospitality and F&B industries.
Enhancing Vocational Training in Food & Beverage
Under the agreement, Pernod Ricard will actively support PSEās food and beverage vocational training programs through expert-led workshops, the provision of training materials, and dedicated master classes. The company aims to help bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry requirements by ensuring students acquire practical, job-ready skills aligned with market demands.
This initiative will particularly focus on enhancing the quality and relevance of the training offered at PSE, enabling students to access employment opportunities in Cambodiaās expanding hospitality sector.
Industry Access and Professional Mentorship
Beyond training, the partnership will provide PSE students and instructors with valuable exposure to the F&B industry through networking events, site visits, and direct engagement with industry professionals. By connecting students with real-world professionals and career mentors, Pernod Ricard hopes to nurture ambition and encourage innovation among Cambodiaās next generation of hospitality professionals.
The initiative is designed not only to boost student employability but also to contribute to the professional development of PSEās teaching staff, ensuring the entire education ecosystem benefits from industry collaboration.
Driving Sustainable Impact Through Community Engagement
The partnership also incorporates sustainability activities aimed at contributing to broader social good. These include occasional donations and joint programs that promote responsible drinking, environmental awareness, and community well-beingāaligning with Pernod Ricardās global sustainability and responsibility roadmap.
Commenting on the initiative, a representative from Pernod Ricard Cambodia emphasized the companyās belief in the transformative power of education. āThis partnership with PSE is more than a corporate social responsibility initiativeāit reflects our long-term vision to empower Cambodian youth and strengthen the future workforce of the food and beverage industry,ā they stated.
PSE, which has operated in Cambodia since 1996, provides education, training, and support to thousands of children from underprivileged backgrounds. The new collaboration with Pernod Ricard marks an important step in the organizationās efforts to scale its impact and further align training programs with the evolving needs of the Cambodian economy.
Both organizations expressed optimism about the outcomes of the partnership and encouraged other industry stakeholders, educators, and community leaders to explore similar collaborations that drive positive change.
