PHNOM PENH — As Cambodia races toward its ambitious goal of achieving 70 percent renewable energy by 2030, experts say the country’s clean energy transition will hinge not only on technology and investment but on building a skilled, inclusive workforce capable of driving that change.
The growing demand for expertise in renewable energy and energy efficiency is creating new job opportunities across the country, but industry leaders warn that the current labor market is struggling to keep pace with this rapid transition.
As part of Clean Energy Week, a session titled “Unleashing Cambodia’s Clean Energy Skills Potential” was held on October 6, bringing together representatives from government, academia, and the private sector to discuss the urgent need for clean energy skills development and workforce readiness.
The Clean Energy Week, organized by EnergyLab Cambodia from October 2 to 9, highlighted the vital role of clean energy in driving Cambodia’s sustainable development path.
La Vibol, Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, said Cambodia’s commitment to a low-carbon future has created a surge in demand for qualified workers.
“Cambodia’s clean energy transition, as outlined in our updated Nationally Determined Contributions, goes far beyond reducing carbon emissions,” Vibol said. “It is opening up new employment opportunities, especially for young people entering the workforce. However, there are still many challenges to overcome — from developing national standards to ensuring equal access for women, rural youth, and underrepresented communities.”
Echoing this, Bun Long, Deputy Director General at the Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC), said that while the country’s energy transition presents great potential, the gap between supply and demand for skilled labor remains significant.
“Recognizing the government’s growing focus on energy efficiency and transition, it’s clear that human resources will play a vital role in the years ahead,” he said. “Despite frequent discussions, the shortage of qualified technicians and engineers continues to be a major concern raised by the private sector.”
To meet these challenges, Bun Long said ITC has revised its curriculum to ensure that most departments integrate energy-related subjects.
“We’ve taken steps to strengthen the curriculum, but stronger collaboration among stakeholders is essential to address the mismatch between what universities produce and what industries actually need,” he said. “All parties must work together to identify and address the root causes.”
From the private sector’s perspective, Vorn Chanraksmey, Director of EGE (Cambodia) Energy Solutions, said many young graduates still lack the practical experience needed to meet industry standards.
“Every year, we receive many internship applications, but most students have limited hands-on experience,” Chanraksmey said. “That’s why we invest heavily in training—both technical and soft skills—before they become full-time employees.”
She added that the clean energy sector remains relatively unexplored among Cambodian students, presenting a unique opportunity for newcomers.
“This is an ideal time for young people to explore the field,” she said. “They can develop careers as engineers specializing in biomass, wind power, and other emerging renewable technologies.”
Meanwhile, Kinnaleth Vongchanh, a researcher at ITC, urged more young women to pursue careers in STEM, particularly in clean energy.
“Female students pay only half the tuition fee if they pass the entrance exam,” she said. “In 2024, women made up about 32 percent of all STEM students. Our goal is to continue increasing that number.”
To prepare students for real-world challenges, Vongchanh said ITC requires all students to complete internships and participate in research labs before graduation.
Gender inclusion was also emphasized by Song Vergenylundy, an energy specialist with the Cambodia-Australia Partnership for Resilient Economic Development (CAPRED) program.
“Beyond providing skills training and capacity building to our partners, we also offer clean energy internships specifically for women,” he said. “We want to break gender barriers and encourage more female participation in these traditionally male-dominated fields.”
Cambodia’s renewable energy roadmap not only targets 70 percent renewables by 2030 but also seeks to reduce national energy consumption by at least 19 percent under the 2022–2030 National Energy Efficiency Policy.
These goals, experts say, will only be achievable if the country invests in its most valuable renewable resource — its people.
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Article by: https://cambodianess.com
The growing demand for expertise in renewable energy and energy efficiency is creating new job opportunities across the country, but industry leaders warn that the current labor market is struggling to keep pace with this rapid transition.
As part of Clean Energy Week, a session titled “Unleashing Cambodia’s Clean Energy Skills Potential” was held on October 6, bringing together representatives from government, academia, and the private sector to discuss the urgent need for clean energy skills development and workforce readiness.
The Clean Energy Week, organized by EnergyLab Cambodia from October 2 to 9, highlighted the vital role of clean energy in driving Cambodia’s sustainable development path.
La Vibol, Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, said Cambodia’s commitment to a low-carbon future has created a surge in demand for qualified workers.
“Cambodia’s clean energy transition, as outlined in our updated Nationally Determined Contributions, goes far beyond reducing carbon emissions,” Vibol said. “It is opening up new employment opportunities, especially for young people entering the workforce. However, there are still many challenges to overcome — from developing national standards to ensuring equal access for women, rural youth, and underrepresented communities.”
Echoing this, Bun Long, Deputy Director General at the Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC), said that while the country’s energy transition presents great potential, the gap between supply and demand for skilled labor remains significant.
“Recognizing the government’s growing focus on energy efficiency and transition, it’s clear that human resources will play a vital role in the years ahead,” he said. “Despite frequent discussions, the shortage of qualified technicians and engineers continues to be a major concern raised by the private sector.”
To meet these challenges, Bun Long said ITC has revised its curriculum to ensure that most departments integrate energy-related subjects.
“We’ve taken steps to strengthen the curriculum, but stronger collaboration among stakeholders is essential to address the mismatch between what universities produce and what industries actually need,” he said. “All parties must work together to identify and address the root causes.”
From the private sector’s perspective, Vorn Chanraksmey, Director of EGE (Cambodia) Energy Solutions, said many young graduates still lack the practical experience needed to meet industry standards.
“Every year, we receive many internship applications, but most students have limited hands-on experience,” Chanraksmey said. “That’s why we invest heavily in training—both technical and soft skills—before they become full-time employees.”
She added that the clean energy sector remains relatively unexplored among Cambodian students, presenting a unique opportunity for newcomers.
“This is an ideal time for young people to explore the field,” she said. “They can develop careers as engineers specializing in biomass, wind power, and other emerging renewable technologies.”
Meanwhile, Kinnaleth Vongchanh, a researcher at ITC, urged more young women to pursue careers in STEM, particularly in clean energy.
“Female students pay only half the tuition fee if they pass the entrance exam,” she said. “In 2024, women made up about 32 percent of all STEM students. Our goal is to continue increasing that number.”
To prepare students for real-world challenges, Vongchanh said ITC requires all students to complete internships and participate in research labs before graduation.
Gender inclusion was also emphasized by Song Vergenylundy, an energy specialist with the Cambodia-Australia Partnership for Resilient Economic Development (CAPRED) program.
“Beyond providing skills training and capacity building to our partners, we also offer clean energy internships specifically for women,” he said. “We want to break gender barriers and encourage more female participation in these traditionally male-dominated fields.”
Cambodia’s renewable energy roadmap not only targets 70 percent renewables by 2030 but also seeks to reduce national energy consumption by at least 19 percent under the 2022–2030 National Energy Efficiency Policy.
These goals, experts say, will only be achievable if the country invests in its most valuable renewable resource — its people.
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Article by: https://cambodianess.com