The minister made these remarks during a meeting with Cyrille Bellier, Director of Asia, Middle East, and Eastern Europe Department at the French Development Agency (AFD) at Ministry on Tuesday. Both parties have agreed to enhance cooperation on the modernising human resource training in Cambodia.

Sour warmly welcomed the AFD delegation, led by Bellier and highlighted the government’s commitment through the Ministry to create action plans for the capacity building of citizens and youth.

These plans focus on equipping individuals with new technical and professional skills required for future industries. He also stressed the Ministry’s efforts to expand cooperation with the private sector and improve the quality of training institutions. This initiative in particular, is targeted towards the training electricians and the fields of electronics and manufacturing, aligning the workforce’s skills with Cambodia’s key industrial needs.

Bellier thanked the Minister for the opportunity to discuss AFD’s work related to the development of the technical and vocational sector in Cambodia. He pledged ongoing cooperation with the Ministry to support the modernisation of IT infrastructure and vocational training institutes, ensuring they meet the current labour market needs.

In relation to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Katta Orn, Secretary of State and spokesman for the ministry, reported that since the government launched the programme, over 57,000 young people enrolled. Of these, more than 23,000 are currently studying and over 7,100 have graduated. The rest are currently undergoing internships.

“Technical and vocational education and training have been actively involved in producing human capital and developing a skilled, knowledgeable, highly competitive, resilient and responsive workforce to meet the rapidly evolving needs of the economic, industrial and digital technologies,” Orn stated.

Since 1993, AFD has played a crucial role in Cambodia’s economic and social development, partnering with the Cambodian government, international organisations, the private sector, civil society, and academic institutions. These partnerships have enabled AFD to propose and implement innovative solutions for the Kingdom over the past 30 years. AFD’s work in Cambodia includes sectors such as water, clean energy transition, climate-smart infrastructure, and vocational training.

According to AFD’s website, notable projects include the rehabilitation of 45,200 hectares of irrigation systems, rural road improvements, vocational training, and investments in drinking water systems in major cities like Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, as well as in provincial towns. AFD also has extended its support to civil society in various fields, with nearly 5 million euros (about $5.56 million) in funding for sectors such as green agriculture, education, energy efficiency, HIV treatment, human rights, and governance.