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The Road towards Greening Vocational Education in Cambodia

Cambodia
Initial vocational education and training
28.03.2023
A green economy, green technologies, green education and green training are key aspects of attaining sustainable and inclusive development, including in developing and emerging countries. Swisscontact, therefore, supports the Cambodian government in efforts to make vocational education more environmentally friendly.  

Against a background of immense challenges such as global warming, extreme weather events, or pollution, the notion of a “just transition” is emerging as a topic of discussion in policy, society, and the economy. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) understands this topic to mean switching to a greener economy in a way that is fair and inclusive to all participants, spares resources, creates decent employment opportunities and leaves no one behind. This also includes vocational education.

New skills are in demand

Cambodia’s Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MLVT) and other relevant stakeholders in the technical vocational education and training (TVET) system are working on identifying new green skills and developing concepts to integrate into teaching curricula. Thus, for example in the plumbing and sanitation sector, new modules on green processes are being added that present ways to avoid unnecessary energy and material consumption through proper planning, processing, and upkeep. Through the updated training content, trainees will be able to perform the manufacturing process in a more sustainable manner and act in a more environmentally conscious way. 

"Green TVET not only contributes to a skilled workforce but also enhances the knowledge and skills necessary to meet current and future socio-economic and ecological challenges."
H.E. Dr. Pich Sophoan, Permanent Secretary of State of the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MLVT)
Greening TVET campaign in Kratie province
Symbolic tree planting, greening TVET campaign in Kratie province

The European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP) defines green skills as:  

Knowledge, abilities, values and attitudes needed to live in a sustainable and resource-efficient society, to develop and support these and undertake efforts to limit the impact of human activities on the environment.

Swisscontact defines four levels of green skills:  

  • Positive attitude towards sustainability, green mindset
  • Generic skills within environmental context (for a better understanding of ecological behaviour) and generic technological work processes (e.g. the economical use of materials)
  • Topping up skills for greening existing occupations
  • Specific green skills for new occupations (new skills) 
H.E. Dr. Pich Sophoan, Permanent Secretary of State of the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MLVT)

“Greening TVET can only be implemented effectively and sustainably through cooperation, support, and engagement of all relevant stakeholders. We must integrate the greening of TVET both in the workplace and in the curriculum of all TVET schools for it to be successful and impactful.” 

Environmental protection at vocational schools

In the first phase, with project support, the focus was placed on greening the campuses of select vocational schools. The “Greening the Campus” campaign was implemented at vocational schools in five northeastern Cambodian provinces. It encompassed the management of energy, water and waste, as well as pollution control at the schools. A guideline was created to make it easier to eventually expand the eco-strategy to all TVET schools in Cambodia.

Various campaigns and events in numerous Cambodian provinces will build awareness of the environmental footprint in young people and enhance the value of vocational education among them.

Em Malika, IT student, PTC Kratje

“This programme taught me much about environmental protection and the benefits of environmentally friendly waste management.”

Chean Phirom, IT student 

“Now I can share my knowledge about Greening TVET and environmentally friendly behaviour with my family and the community.”

The Skills Development Programme (SDP) is a project of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). Phase 2 of the SDP (2020–2024) is being implemented by Swisscontact within a consortium together with INVOLAS and in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MLVT) and the Ministry of Tourism (MoT).

2024 - 2028
Cambodia
Initial vocational education and training, Labour market insertion, Sustainable tourism
Skills Development Programme (SDP)
The overall goal of the Skills Development Programme (SDP) is for disadvantaged young women and men and low-skilled workers in five rural provinces of Cambodia (Preah Vihear, Stung Treng, Kratie, Mondulkiri and Rattanakiri) to gain access to decent employment and increased income. 
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