PHNOM PENH – Prime Minister Hun Manet on April 27 urged the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training to introduce standards and certifications recognizing the skills of talented individuals and informal economy workers who have never attended formal vocational training.

Highlighting the potential of Cambodia’s untapped talent, the prime minister pointed to the example of a gifted sculptor who created a near-perfect likeness of the late Venerable Chuon Nath.

“I saw one talented sculptor who created a sculpture of the late Venerable Chuon Nath, which looks almost identical,” he said. “He never attended fine art or vocational schools — he only learned from YouTube.”

“With the talent he has, we should create standards, assess his abilities, and issue certificates,” Hun Manet continued. “Such certificates are often required when applying for jobs.”

The prime minister made these remarks during a meeting with leaders of professional organizations marking the 139th anniversary of International Workers’ Day.

Hun Manet also noted that many skilled workers in other fields, such as cooking, deserve similar recognition.

“Some chefs have never attended schools organized by the ministry, yet they are talented. Thus, the ministry should assess those talents and issue qualifications so that they can work at 5-star hotels,” he said.

Hun Manet emphasized that providing official certifications to talented individuals would open new doors for them, especially in the informal economy, as companies increasingly prioritize candidates with verified skills and qualifications.

This move aligns with Cambodia’s broader efforts to enhance workforce readiness. On November 14, 2023, the government launched a major technical and vocational education and training (TVET) program to build a higher-quality workforce.

The free training initiative targets 1.5 million young people from disadvantaged and vulnerable backgrounds, offering participants a monthly stipend of 280,000 riels (around $70) to support their studies. The program aims to equip youth with both vocational and life skills to secure better-paying jobs in the future.

As of April 25, 2025, around 113,000 people had enrolled in the program. Of those, approximately 72,000 have graduated, and about 16,000 have successfully secured employment.

To expand the program’s reach, Hun Manet called on capital and provincial authorities, as well as union representatives, to help publicize training opportunities, particularly to young people.

The prime minister also encouraged private sector businesses to accept trainees and interns, giving students the chance to apply their theoretical knowledge in practice and build valuable hands-on experience.

Originally written in Khmer for ThmeyThmey, this story was translated by Rin Ousa for Cambodianess.