Cambodia’s National Skills Competition builds pathways to regional success through South-South Cooperation

PHNOM PENH (ILO News) – Young Cambodians demonstrated their technical skills across traditional trades, digital occupations and emerging technologies at the country's 10th National Skills Competition, highlighting technical and vocational education and training (TVET) as a pathway to career development and decent work.

The International Labour Organization (ILO), through the ILO/China Partnership Programme on Strengthening Skills Development, supported the Directorate General of Technical Vocational Education and Training (DGTVET) of the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, to organize the competition.

The 10th Cambodia National Skills Competition, held in Phnom Penh from 29 September to 3 October 2026, brought together 112 competitors, including 29 women, from 20 institutions and universities across Cambodia.

Participants competed in 12 technical and vocational skill areas, spanning traditional trades as well as digital and emerging technologies: electrical installations, welding, bricklaying, wall and floor tiling, information network cabling, graphic design, web design, IT software solutions for business, 3D digital game art, digital construction, mechatronics, and industrial automation. Thirty-one competitors received medals in recognition of their skills and outstanding performance across the competition areas.

“The National Skills Competition provides young people with an opportunity to showcase their talents, exchange experiences and improve their technical skills. Through this competition, we can assess young people's technical skills, creativity and problem-solving abilities against industry standards. It also encourages skills excellence and helps prepare Cambodia’s young talent for future employment and international competitions,” said Khiev Kongveasna, Chief Expert in Digital Construction Skills Competition of the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training.

“The 10th National Skills Competition is not only about identifying medal winners. It provided young people with an opportunity to demonstrate their technical abilities while promoting TVET as a pathway to decent work and career development,” said Tian Feng, Project Manager of the ILO/China Partnership Programme.

Through South-South Cooperation, the ILO/China Partnership Programme has supported nearly 100 Cambodian trainers and competitors over the past four years to undertake technical training in China, gaining exposure to advanced training methods, modern equipment and internationally benchmarked practices. Building on this experience, the 10th National Skills Competition also formed part of a longer-term pathway to identify talented young people, strengthen the capacities of trainers and experts, and prepare promising competitors for WorldSkills ASEAN and other international competitions.

Skill competition in Cambodia 2026 — Participants in the opening ceremony for the 10th National Skills Competition led by Heng Sour, Minister of Labour and Vocational Training of Cambodia (centre)

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