PHNOM PENH – A thousand scholarships for technical and vocational training are being offered in Takeo province to young people from low-income and vulnerable backgrounds.

On graduation, they will receive a Certificate Level 1.

The Regional Polytechnic Institute Techo Sen Takeo, in Dounkeo City, under the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training, offers scholarships in 14 fields of study, along with a monthly stipend of 280,000 riels (about $70), provided by the government.

Other students are also encouraged to apply but they will not receive a stipend.

Institute director Thou Sopheap said about 2,000 students have registered for Technical and Vocational Training Certificates Levels 1, 2 and 3 since the beginning of 2024.

“Beyond the training, students are required to complete a two-month internship at partner companies and enterprises to gain firsthand experience,” Sopheap said.

“More than 90 percent of students are employed after graduating from their first course. However, we hope they will continue to pursue Certificate Levels 2 and 3, with free tuition fees, which are equivalent to secondary education.”

Sopheap said course durations vary depending on the student’s choice, as the institute offers both weekday and weekend options, ranging from four to ten months.

Students from remote provinces are provided with free accommodation in separate dormitories for male and female students.

Fields of study at the certificate level include bricklaying, building electrical installation, vehicle maintenance and repair, automotive air conditioning, vehicle electrical maintenance and repair, home air conditioning services, beauty services, computer graphic design, electrical welding, electronic equipment maintenance and repair, security camera installation and maintenance, administrative services, small machine maintenance and repair, and food and beverage services.

The institute also offers higher technical diplomas and bachelor’s degrees in eight majors, including information technology, electrical engineering, civil engineering, electronics engineering, automotive engineering, veterinary science, English literature, and accounting and finance.

The Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) program was officially launched by the government in 2023, to build a higher-quality workforce.

The free training initiative targets 1.5 million young people and aims to equip them with both vocational and life skills to secure better-paying jobs.

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

New courses at the institute begin at the start of each month. Those interested in registering for scholarships can contact the institute at +855 98 522 645 or +855 98 636 665.