Phnom Penh:The Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training of Cambodia, in collaboration with the European Union, hosted the NTTI BizConnect Cambodia 2026 forum to address the mismatch between vocational skills and industry requirements. The event was held on Wednesday at the National Technical Training Institute (NTTI) and gathered over 300 participants, including government officials, international representatives, corporate leaders, educators, and students.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the forum was co-chaired by Minister of Labour and Vocational Training H.E. Heng Sour and EU Ambassador to Cambodia H.E. Igor Driesmans. It aimed to foster collaboration between Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) providers and the private sector, focusing on improving technical skills, work-based learning, and soft skills in line with current industry standards.

Minister H.E. Heng Sour emphasized that Cambodia is the second country, following Timor-Leste, to implement this initiative under the Sustainable Connectivity Package Higher Education Action (SCOPE-HE). He highlighted the importance of addressing skill gaps and updating qualifications to keep pace with global trends such as green transitions and digital transformation.

The minister noted that the Royal Government prioritizes developing a skilled workforce to enhance economic growth, industrial competitiveness, and foreign investment. This effort is central to the Royal Government's Pentagonal Strategy, which aims to transform Cambodia's economy into a skill-based, high-value industrial hub. He encouraged continued collaboration between businesses and TVET institutions and urged students to use the forum for career development.

EU Ambassador H.E. Igor Driesmans stated that BizConnect is a significant regional initiative under the ASEAN-EU SCOPE-HE framework. He expressed the EU's commitment to supporting Cambodian youth in skill development and emphasized the importance of investing in human capital for a greener and more digital future.

The forum, supported by the EU, lays the foundation for sustainable partnerships between public and private sectors, aiming to better prepare graduates for the changing job market and contribute to Cambodia's economic progress.