Cambodia Investment Review
EuroCham Cambodia has underscored the importance of closer collaboration between the government, international partners, and private sector companies to bridge Cambodia’s skills gap, speaking at the Closing the Gap Workshop 2025 in Phnom Penh.
The two-day event, co-hosted by the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MLVT) and the EU-ASEAN Sustainable Connectivity Package – Higher Education Programme (SCOPE-HE), gathered senior government officials, industry leaders, and development partners from across ASEAN to discuss the future of technical and vocational education and training (TVET).
Aligning Training With Industry Needs
Keynote speakers included H.E. Heng Sour, Cambodia’s Minister of Labour and Vocational Training, and H.E. Igor Driesmans, EU Ambassador to Cambodia, alongside representatives from ASEAN, SEAMEO VOCTECH, and the International Labour Organisation. Discussions focused on how TVET can better prepare graduates for the agri-food sector and future-proof jobs through green and digital skills development.
EuroCham Cambodia’s Executive Director, Martin Brisson, joined a high-level panel on public-private partnerships in skills development, moderated by Yim Pichmalika, Deputy Director General of DGTVET. Other panelists included Manuel Azibi, Resident Twinning Advisor of the EU-Cambodia Twinning Project, Sokkim Ky, CEO of the Skill Development Fund, and Ravi Bhushan Singh, Director of Global Institutional Affairs, Sustainability at Schneider Electric.
Brisson stressed that the private sector must play a direct role in shaping training programs. “For TVET to truly prepare young people for the jobs of today and tomorrow, the private sector must be a co-creator, not just a beneficiary,” he said, highlighting the need for businesses to help design curricula, open up workplaces for apprenticeships, and co-invest in modern training facilities.
Toward A Regional Skills Roadmap
The workshop combined expert presentations, group discussions, and interactive sessions to explore policy alignment, best practices, and inclusive models for workforce development. Gender equality, sustainability, and regional cooperation were highlighted as cross-cutting priorities.
The program concluded with a roadmap for future collaboration, including preparatory actions ahead of the Policy Dialogue on Higher Education 2025 in Malaysia. Delegates also visited the National Polytechnic Institute of Cambodia (NPIC) to observe local vocational training initiatives in practice.
EuroCham’s Broader Role
EuroCham’s involvement in the workshop reflects its growing role in advocating for private sector engagement in Cambodia’s workforce development agenda. Since its founding in 2011, the Chamber has expanded to over 400 members spanning 23 European countries. Its advocacy work focuses on improving the business environment, promoting EU investment, and supporting Cambodia’s transition to a more competitive and resilient economy.
By participating in forums such as the Closing the Gap Workshop, EuroCham says it aims to ensure that skills development not only meets Cambodia’s growth needs but also positions the country as a stronger partner in ASEAN’s evolving economic landscape.
