Govt’s vocational training programme proves popular
Nearly 30,000 young people from poor and vulnerable families have registered in the government’s free vocational training programme in the last three months.
From November 14, 2023, to February 13 this year, young people enrolling in the training programme for vocational and technical skills increased to 27,282 including 9,436 females, said Katta Orn, Secretary of State and Spokesman of the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training.
Among the nearly 30,000 young people, 10,157 are from Phnom Penh including 3,361 females, Battambang has 3,377 including 1,433 females, Preah Sihanouk 1,079 including 378 females, Kandal 900 with 246 females, and other provinces 9,764 including 3,492 females.
Orn said that the Ministry opened courses on January 15 with 546 classes, including 125 for construction, eight for electricity and energy, 19 for electronics, 119 for business and information technology, 35 service classes, and many other classes, with total enrollment of 12,403 students including 4,286 females, of whom 5,688 have equity cards including 2,344 females.
The Ministry continues to conduct outreach campaigns, especially with poor and vulnerable families. The government has conducted 731 visits involving 77,090 participants as of February 13, according to Orn.
He added that registration for vocational training is free for young people from poor and vulnerable families, who also receive a monthly stipend of 280,000 riels from the government during their four years of study.
He specified that young people from the informal economy or workers who want to learn additional skills can also register and learn for free, but they do not receive the same allowances as students from poor and vulnerable families.
Young people from poor and vulnerable families are encouraged to enrol in vocational courses to acquire the skills they need to make a prosperous future for themselves and their families, he said.
Yok Sothy, the Director of the National Technical Training Institute (NTTI), said yesterday that the institute is offering the courses and the most popular course is computer design.
“Of all the students we have at NTTI now, most of them have chosen computer design,’’ said Sothy. “However, there are still many students interested in becoming electricians and maintaining buildings.”
He added that the trainees are almost guaranteed jobs after completing their course as the acquired skills are in high-demand in Cambodia’s labour market.
Kim Sokun, a computer design student at NTTI, expressed his pleasure in studying computer design as it will improve his skillset and allow him to pursue his future career.
“I am interested in this course and so glad to be part of NTTI,” said Sokun. “I believe it will help me out through my career in computers and technology.”
Speaking at a recent meeting, Prime Minister Hun Manet announced that the government is providing $450 million to support poor and vulnerable young people with the aim of producing 1.5 million skilled workers in line with current labour market demands.
