Upskilling & Reskilling: Key to Sustainable Growth – HR Forum 2025
EuroCham Cambodia organised HR Forum 2025 on March 7, 2025, under the theme "Sustaining Success", exploring strategies and practices necessary for maintaining organisational efficiency. A major undercurrent of the forum, heavily stressed by the Cambodian labour ministry, was the need to invest in the upskilling and reskilling of the local workforce to enhance resilience in today’s industrial and digital landscape.
The event was opened by H.E. Sovann Vannaroth, Permanent Secretary of State at the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MoLVT), and Tassilo Brinzer, Chairman of EuroCham Cambodia, alongside other MoLVT officials and human resource experts.
In her remarks, H.E. Vannaroth emphasised the importance of employee training and development through upskilling and reskilling. By equipping employees with new skills, they can become more resilient and adaptable to the rapidly evolving economic, industrial, and digital landscape.
“Our goal is to empower every citizen with at least one marketable skill to ensure their livelihood and contribute to the nation's progress, as well as to promote lifelong learning opportunities for all,” she said. “We must also ensure that they are equipped with the necessary skills and a training curriculum that responds to the rapidly growing and emerging economy.”
The Permanent Secretary of State also highlighted the significance of building a strong workplace culture and organisational efficiency, emphasising the need for effective leadership, open communication, and compliance with labour laws.
On behalf of her ministry, she shared that the MoLVT is promoting human capital development through technical and vocational training (TVET); collaborating with the National Institute of Labour to provide certified HR training; and supporting ASEAN mobility for human resource professionals by launching a “One Enterprise, One Harmonious Community” certification by May 2025.
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Brinzer shared that Cambodia experienced a remarkable economic transformation in 2024, with the Kingdom’s GDP growth rate reflecting significant expansion across various sectors, including garments, textiles, electronics, and many new industries that are establishing production and export operations in Cambodia.
“This surge has heightened the demand for skilled labour to maintain competitiveness and meet international standards,” he underscored.
He added that tourism has also been on the rebound post-pandemic, and the sector is increasingly seeking well-trained English-speaking personnel, as well as speakers of other languages such as Chinese, Japanese, and Korean.
According to Brinzer, the services sector, which encompasses finance, retail, and information technology (IT), has expanded and contributed about 42 per cent of Cambodia’s GDP in 2023. This growth underscores the need for professionals equipped with diverse skill sets to drive innovation and efficiency.
Need for Skill Enhancement in Cambodia
Cambodia's employment rate was reported to be 82 per cent in 2021, according to the National Institute of Statistics. Brinzer stated that the Kingdom’s labour participation reflects a substantial portion of the population actively engaged in the economy.
“While Cambodia has maintained a low unemployment rate, the burgeoning demand for qualified workers amidst the country’s economic expansion presents both opportunities and challenges,” he said.
Will workers be in a position to ask for significantly higher wages in the coming years? Or will more workers come from other countries via relaxation of respective employment legislations? Aligning educational curricula with industry needs is paramount. Emphasising vocational training and STEM education will equip youth with relevant skills.
“But in a young society like Cambodia, even a 40-year-old needs to be upskilled, if possible,” he added. “Collaboration between the government and private sector can facilitate internships, apprenticeships, and on-the-job training, ensuring a seamless transition from education to employment.”
Watch a snippet of Tassilo Brinzer's speech from HR Forum 2025:
Speaking with B2B Cambodia, Sophorn Chhay, Vice-Chairwoman of EuroCham’s HR Committee in charge of Development Skills, and CEO of HR Code, noted that while companies in Cambodia seek out skilled workers, a skills gap persists in the workforce.
“I think companies always strive to build a great workforce, but it's a bit challenging sometimes, because we cannot find all the relevant competencies and skills. So sometimes companies have to refer to some expat employees or competencies from abroad,” said Sophorn.
She reiterated that there is a need for more investment in upskilling and reskilling.
“I think we have to not only work on the technical skills but also the mindset, driving them to be open and curious, to grow.”
Upcoming Regulations & Latest Updates on Cambodia’s Labour Law
The MoLVT also shared some of the latest updates on Cambodia’s labour laws and upcoming regulations currently in development, such as the Law on Occupational Safety and Health (OSH), the TVET Law, and other relevant Prakas on labour settlement at the enterprise level.
Some of the latest Prakas issued include the Prakas on ‘Collective and Individual Labour Dispute Procedures’, dated March 4, 2025, and the Prakas on the ‘Qualification of Individuals in Charge of Administration and Human Resources of Enterprises’, dated December 2024.