Cambodia's National Job and Productivity Fair Concludes Successfully with 120,000 Attendees

The 16th National Job and Productivity Fair in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, concluded on September 13, 2026, after a two-day run. The event, held under the theme "Skills and Work: Job Productivity for Sustainable Economic Growth," attracted approximately 120,000 participants, both in person and online, and successfully achieved its three main objectives. Speaking at the closing ceremony, Minister of Labour and Vocational Training, H.E. Heng Sour, praised the growing support for the annual national fair, noting the increasing attention from job seekers, particularly the youth. He outlined the first objective as providing job services and career counseling to job seekers through an innovative "Job Garden." This initiative offers a one-stop service for preparing and printing resumes, career advice, and immediate interviews and selection. This marks a shift from a "wait-to-serve" approach to one that "brings services closer to the people." The second objective focused on disseminating information about current and future skill demands. H.E. Heng Sour emphasized that panel discussions with key speakers helped participants gain a clearer understanding of the importance of skills in driving productivity, the role of job productivity in maintaining growth and competitiveness, and the types of skills needed to adapt training programs to industrial and technological advancements. The Ministry of Labour remains committed to connecting "skills" with "sustainable economic growth," especially in response to Cambodia's industrial transformation from labor-intensive to skill-based industries. The third objective involved organizing public debate forums to encourage brainstorming among high school students, workers, training providers, employers, stakeholders, and the younger generation, helping them understand the significance of skills for productivity growth. H.E. Heng Sour stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister H.E. Dr. Hun Manet, Cambodia continues to provide employment opportunities, particularly in the resilient garment sector, despite global uncertainties. The government will work to improve the investment climate to enable enterprises of all levels to expand and increase investment, thereby creating jobs. The Minister confirmed that all three objectives were met and expressed strong hope for continued support from ministries, development partners, associations, and companies for future national fairs. He urged attendees to act as messengers, informing others about the importance of developing additional skills. Ms. Ouch Chanthmollika, Director-General of the National Employment Agency, reported that the fair saw approximately 120,000 attendees. Around 20,000 resumes were submitted by job seekers, leading to approximately 5,000 on-site interviews. Nearly 3,000 individuals were hired, with companies expected to continue their selection processes. Ms. Helen Kirsch, ILO Country Director for Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand, congratulated the fair on its success. She highlighted the need for technical, digital, and soft skills for the future workforce, urging youth to continuously learn, adapt, and upskill to meet market demands. The ILO pledged to continue supporting Cambodia in enhancing employment, strengthening labor market institutions, boosting productivity, and promoting decent work for all. Source: AKP Khmer