Cambodia Pushes for Modernization of TVET Institutions to Enhance Training Quality and Workforce Development

Phnom Penh: On the morning of August 7, 2026, H.E. Heng Sour, Minister of Labour and Vocational Training, presided over the inauguration ceremony for H.E. Chin Dara as the Director of the National Technical Training Institute (NTTI) and H.E. Tan Kosal as the Director of the National Polytechnic Institute of Cambodia (NPIC) at the Ministry's headquarters. The event was attended by ministry leaders, the General Directorate of Technical and Vocational Education and Training, and directors from all 37 TVET institutions under the ministry's purview. Speaking at the occasion, H.E. Heng Sour extended his warm congratulations to H.E. Chin Dara and H.E. Tan Kosal, acknowledging their competence and the trust placed in them by the Head of Government and ministry leadership to continue leading and reforming the two institutes towards greater development in both quantity and quality. He also expressed appreciation and gratitude to H.E. Bun Phirun, former Director of NPIC, and H.E. Yeok Sothy, former Director of NTTI, for their past leadership and numerous achievements. The Minister advised and instructed the new directors of both institutes to continue leading and managing their institutions with a spirit of solidarity, internal unity, transparency, and accountability. He urged them to preserve existing strengths while enhancing new initiatives and implementing reform measures to improve the effectiveness and quality of training. Particular emphasis was placed on strengthening teacher capacity, modernizing equipment and curricula, and developing both soft and hard skills to meet the evolving demands of industry and technology. He also stressed the importance of reinforcing management, including work discipline and professional ethics. Furthermore, H.E. Heng Sour recommended strengthening cooperation with the private sector and national and international partners. This includes promoting apprenticeship programs, skills testing and recognition, upskilling and reskilling opportunities, and fostering research and innovation. He specifically suggested enhancing the promotion of the TVET sector through strengthened collaboration with major companies, special economic zones, and local authorities. His Excellency expressed his firm belief that with the new leadership and the participation of all officials, staff, and instructors, both institutes will become leading TVET institutions in the region and centers of excellence, producing new achievements and high-quality human resources in line with the esteemed recommendations of Samdech Maha Bovor Thipadei Hun Manet, the Prime Minister. He underscored that the commitment and participation of all TVET institution leaders contribute significantly to building human capital equipped with skills, technology, and innovation, which is crucial for supporting Cambodia's economic and social development and attracting foreign direct investment. On the occasion, H.E. Chin Dara and H.E. Tan Kosal expressed their gratitude and pledged to diligently fulfill their roles and responsibilities entrusted by the Head of Government and the Ministry leadership with a spirit of responsibility, transparency, and efficiency.