"Cambodia can strengthen its VET system by leveraging China's successful strategies in practice-oriented training, comprehensive education, and adaptive reforms," says Om Romny, secretary of state of Cambodia's Ministry of Education.
PHNOM PENH, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- China has developed a highly effective vocational education and training (VET) system, which can serve as a valuable model for Cambodia, Om Romny, secretary of state of Cambodia's Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, said in an interview with Xinhua on Wednesday.
VALUABLE MODEL FOR CAMBODIA'S VET SYSTEM
China's success is rooted in several key strategies and reforms, he said, adding that China's focus on hands-on training through specialized practice centers has improved vocational education by bridging the gap between theory and real-world skills.
"Cambodia could benefit by investing in similar centers to enhance its VET programs," Romny said.
He added that China's education system emphasizes a holistic approach, combining moral, intellectual, physical, aesthetic, and labor education to develop well-rounded students with strong values, adaptability, and vocational skills.
"Cambodia could adopt a similar model to enhance its students' competencies beyond technical skills," he said. "China's ongoing VET reforms align education with economic needs, ensuring vocational training stays relevant to evolving industries."
The official said Cambodia aims to learn from this experience and focus on reforms that support its goal of becoming a regional manufacturing and service hub.
Cambodia's VET system offers formal and non-formal programs to meet diverse educational needs, he said, adding that by learning from China's approach, Cambodia can better support youth and adult learners and improve employability across sectors.
"Cambodia can strengthen its VET system by leveraging China's successful strategies in practice-oriented training, comprehensive education, and adaptive reforms," Romny said.
"The collaboration aligns well with Cambodia's goals to produce skilled human capital, boost economic development, and increase regional competitiveness, especially within the Belt and Road Initiative framework," he added.
CHINA KEY TO FUTURE OF CAMBODIA'S VET SECTOR
Romny said as Cambodia's largest trading partner, China is pivotal to the future of the kingdom's VET sector.
"Through cooperation in vocational education, we can drive socio-economic progress in Cambodia and within the broader Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region," he said.
Key areas of collaboration include capacity building and knowledge exchange, he said, adding that China's advanced technical training frameworks and experience in implementing successful VET programs can help Cambodia develop a more robust VET system.
"Collaborative projects in infrastructure, equipment, and funding will enable us to build and upgrade vocational training facilities, making high-quality technical education more accessible," he said.
Romny added that expanding scholarships and training exchanges will allow Cambodian students and professionals to gain valuable skills in China and apply this knowledge to the Cambodian workforce.
"With strengthened China—Cambodia cooperation, we anticipate creating a more resilient and skilled workforce, which will drive Cambodia's socio-economic development and fortify our position in the global market," he said. "This partnership supports our vision of transforming Cambodia into a hub for skilled labor in ASEAN, building a foundation for sustainable growth."
CURRENT SITUATION OF VET DEVELOPMENT IN CAMBODIA
Romny said Cambodia's VET system is at a pivotal stage of development and that the country strives to modernize its education sector to align with economic goals.
He added that the kingdom recognizes that a skilled workforce is essential for long-term growth and competitiveness.
"However, the current situation reflects challenges such as limited training facilities, outdated curricula, and a mismatch between skills taught and market demands," he said. "Many young Cambodians are entering the workforce without the specific technical skills needed in growing industries, which impacts productivity and limits economic opportunities."
The official said VET is crucial in bridging skill gaps in Cambodia by aligning education with labor market needs.
"As the country shifts from agriculture to higher—value sectors, strengthening VET will help build a more adaptable, productive workforce to support emerging industries and attract foreign investment," he said.
Romny said Cambodia's Pentagonal Strategy prioritizes education and human capital development to build a knowledge-based economy.
He added that it focuses on enhancing technical and vocational skills through partnerships with international institutions, the private sector, and the government to improve VET quality and accessibility.
"Cambodia's VET policies align with economic growth goals, addressing skill gaps and boosting resilience," he said. "Efforts focus on improving training infrastructure, updating curricula to meet industry needs, expanding education access to rural and urban areas, and supporting economic growth, industry diversification, and poverty reduction."
Romny's comments were made ahead of the 2024 World Vocational and Technical Education Development Conference, which will be held in Tianjin, North China on Nov. 20-22.
高级官员指出，中国行之有效的职业教育与培训体系可以作为柬埔寨的宝贵借鉴。
柬埔寨教育部国务秘书奥姆•罗姆尼（Om Romny）表示，"柬埔寨可以通过借鉴中国在实践导向培训、综合教育和适应性改革方面的成功策略来加强其职业教育与培训体系。"
新华社金边11月14日电 柬埔寨教育、青年和体育部国务秘书奥姆•罗姆尼（Om Romny）周三在接受新华社记者采访时表示，中国已经建立了行之有效的职业教育与培训（VET）体系，可以作为柬埔寨的宝贵借鉴。
他说，中国的成功根植于几项关键战略和改革，并补充说，中国通过专业实训中心注重实践培训，通过弥合理论与实际技能之间的差距，改善了职业教育。
“柬埔寨可以通过建立类似的实训中心来加强其职业教育与培训项目而受益。”罗姆尼说。
他补充说，中国的教育体系强调系统性方法，将德、智、体、美、劳教育相结合，培养具有强烈价值观、适应能力和职业技能的全面发展的学生。
“柬埔寨可以采用类似的模式来提高学生在技术技能之外的能力，”他说。“中国正在进行的职业教育与培训改革使教育与经济需求保持一致，确保职业培训与不断发展的行业保持关联性。”
这位官员表示，柬埔寨旨在学习这一经验，并开展改革，以支持其成为区域制造业和服务中心的目标。
他说，柬埔寨的职业教育与培训系统提供正式和非正式课程，以满足不同的教育需求，并补充说，通过学习中国的方法，柬埔寨可以更好地支持青少年和成人学习者，并提高各部门的就业能力。
罗姆尼说：“柬埔寨可以借鉴中国在实践导向的培训、综合教育和适应性改革方面的成功策略，加强其职业教育与培训体系。”
他补充说：“和中国的合作与柬埔寨培养熟练人力资本、促进经济发展和提高区域竞争力的目标非常一致，尤其是在'一带一路'倡议框架内。”
中国是柬埔寨职业教育培训行业未来的关键
罗姆尼说，作为柬埔寨最大的贸易伙伴，中国对柬埔寨职业教育与培训行业的未来至关重要。
他说：“通过职业教育方面的合作，我们可以推动柬埔寨和更广泛的东南亚国家联盟 （ASEAN） 地区的社会经济进步。
他说，合作的关键领域包括能力建设和知识交流，并补充说，中国先进的技术培训框架和成功实施职业教育与培训项目的经验，可以帮助柬埔寨建立更强大的职业教育与培训系统。
“基础设施、设备和资金方面的合作项目将使我们能够建造和升级职业培训设施，使高质量的技术教育更容易获得。”他说。
罗姆尼补充说，扩大奖学金和培训交流将使柬埔寨学生和专业人士在中国获得宝贵的技能，并将这些知识应用于柬埔寨的劳动力提升。
他说：“随着中柬合作的加强，我们希望培养更具韧性和技能的劳动力队伍，这将推动柬埔寨的社会经济发展，并巩固我们在全球市场的地位。这种伙伴关系将支撑我们的愿景，即将柬埔寨转变为东盟的熟练劳动力中心，为可持续增长奠定坚实基础。”
柬埔寨职业教育与培训发展现状
罗姆尼说，柬埔寨的职业教育与培训系统正处于发展的关键阶段，柬埔寨努力实现教育部门的现代化，以符合经济目标。
他补充说，柬埔寨认识到熟练的劳动力对于经济长期增长和提高竞争力至关重要。
“然而，目前的情况反映了诸如培训设施有限、课程过时以及教授的技能与市场需求不匹配等挑战，”他说。“许多柬埔寨年轻人进入劳动力市场时，没有获得成长型行业所需的专门技术技能，这会影响生产力并限制经济机会。”
这位官员表示，职业教育与培训通过使教育与劳动力市场需求保持一致，在弥合柬埔寨的技能差距方面至关重要。
“随着我国从农业转向更高价值的行业，加强职业教育与培训将有助于建立更具适应性、更高效的劳动力，以支持新兴行业并吸引外国投资，”他说。
罗姆尼说，柬埔寨的五角战略优先考虑教育和人力资本开发，以建立知识型经济。
他补充说，它侧重于通过与国际机构、私营部门和政府合作来提高技术和职业技能，以提高职业教育与培训的质量和可及性。
“柬埔寨的职业教育与培训政策与经济增长目标保持一致，解决技能差距并增强韧性，”他说。“努力的重点是改善培训基础设施，更新课程以满足行业需求，扩大农村和城市地区的教育机会，以及支持经济增长、行业多元化和减贫。”
来源丨新华社金边分社
