Public and Private Sectors Partner to Upskill Cambodian Youth in Digital Workforce

Cambodia Investment Review

Leading universities and private sector companies in Cambodia have announced their collaboration to strengthen the country’s digital workforce. The partnership aims to provide young Cambodians with the necessary job placement opportunities as well as skills training to compete in the digital economy and complement the $15 million USAID Digital Workforce Development project – the flagship five-year initiative implemented by the University of California at Berkeley.

Senior members from Cambodia’s leading universities and companies joined the signing ceremony.

The universities participating in this collaboration include National University of Management, Svay Rieng University, National University of Battambang, Cambodia Academy of Digital Technology, and University of South-East Asia. The private sector partners include Phillip Bank, Cellcard, Ezecom, and Canadia Bank.

The collaboration will focus on three primary objectives:

Strengthening targeted ICT certification, short courses, non-degree and degree programs offered by Cambodian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), building on the expertise and experience of project partners and integrating new approaches into local HEI programs.
Enhancing the capacity of Cambodian HEIs to meet accreditation standards.
Increasing scholarship, internship, and networking opportunities to support practical skill building and linkages to job opportunities for Cambodian youth, fostering strong relationships between HEI partners and the private sector.

According to a 2022 UNDP Cambodia report, firms predicted a 30% increase in demand for ICT-related skills over the next two years, with growing demand for ICT sales professionals, software developers, digital marketers, web developers, graphic designers, and database managers.

The report also highlights the disparity between urban and rural students in terms of ICT education opportunities, with Phnom Penh dominating enrollment in ICT programs.

(C) Chanda Pen Chief of Party for the USAID Digital Workforce Development project.

Chanda Pen, Chief of Party for the USAID Digital Workforce Development project, emphasized the importance of digital skills and education in today’s job market. He noted that skill mismatches and shortages, particularly in ICT and non-ICT fields, can slow innovation and hinder the adoption of innovative technologies.

Supporting Cambodia’s economic and societal growth

The Cambodian government has also prioritized upskilling its students to be work-ready through the Skill Development Fund (SDF). The SDF is addressing the mismatch of skills in Cambodia, aiming to transition from an agriculture-based economy to a higher-skilled economy. The fund has already implemented 95 projects in priority sectors such as manufacturing, construction, ICT, electronics, and tourism.

Cambodia’s wider skills training ecosystem also attended the event.

This collaboration between leading universities and private sector companies will play a vital role in providing the necessary framework to upskill and protect workers, supporting Cambodia’s economic and societal growth.