Cambodia Strengthens TVET Cooperation with Finland and France

Cambodian Minister of Labour and Vocational Training, H.E. Heng Sour, held separate bilateral meetings with H.E. Anders Adlercreutz, Minister of Education of the Republic of Finland, and H.E. Sabrina Roubache, Minister Delegate for Vocational Education, Training, and Employment of the French Republic. These meetings took place on the sidelines of the "WorldSkills Shanghai 2026" event and the "WorldSkills Conference 2026," held from September 22-24, 2026, at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai, People's Republic of China. During the meeting with H.E. Anders Adlercreutz on September 23, 2026, discussions focused on cooperation to promote the implementation of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs. Both ministers agreed that this significant cooperation should commence at the partnership level between training institutions and private enterprises of both countries, prior to full government-to-government cooperation in the future. In a separate meeting with H.E. Sabrina Roubache on the same day, H.E. Heng Sour highly valued the long-standing friendship between Cambodia and France, which has significantly contributed to the development of TVET programs, skills development, and human resources in Cambodia, particularly through the French Development Agency (AFD). He stated that the meeting during this important event was timely and appropriate, as both countries are striving to prepare youth and the workforce to be ready to respond to the rapidly changing demands of skills and the labor market. The Minister affirmed Cambodia's readiness to continue strengthening and expanding close cooperation with France for further resilient human resource development, especially in sectors like agriculture and food. In response, H.E. Sabrina Roubache congratulated Cambodia on hosting the 20th Francophonie Summit scheduled for November 2026. She expressed her hope that both parties will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) during the summit to strengthen partnerships in TVET programs, vocational training, and skills exchange, particularly in sectors such as construction, agriculture, and food. By: Bunrith, Source: Ministry of Labour