CAC News
PHNOM PENH, Aug. 19, 2026 — Cambodia and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have unveiled findings from a study on the agro-processing and electric vehicle (EV) industries, highlighting the need to strengthen workforce skills to support sustainable economic growth and industrial transformation.
The findings were presented at a consultative workshop titled “Preparing Cambodia’s Workforce for the Green Transition: Skills for Emerging Electric Vehicle and Agro-Processing Industries,” held in Phnom Penh on Wednesday. The Cashew Nut Association of Cambodia (CAC) was invited to participate and deliver remarks at the event.
The workshop brought together government officials, industry leaders, training institutions, development partners and other stakeholders to discuss the study’s findings and identify skills needed to meet emerging labor-market demands.
H.E. Heng Sour, Minister of Labour and Vocational Training, praised ADB for its technical assistance and partnership in conducting the study. He said the initiative comes at an important time as Cambodia seeks to build an agile and future-ready workforce capable of supporting industrial development, particularly in advanced agro-processing and the rapidly expanding EV sector.
H.E. Dr. Phan Phalla, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Economy and Finance and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Skills Development Fund (SDF), highlighted the fund’s strategy of providing advanced technical training through international partnerships.
He said Cambodia plans to strengthen the capacity of about 130 master trainers through training programs in China by the end of 2026. He also stressed the need to turn partnerships into concrete action by working closely with industry associations, enterprises, training institutions and development partners to identify skills gaps and develop demand-driven training programs.
In the agro-processing sector, CAC has been strengthening workforce and farmer capacity through climate-resilient agriculture and cashew-processing training. In collaboration with SDF and the Kampong Thom Polytechnic Institute (PIKT), CAC plans to implement a Training of Trainers (ToT) program for 30 master trainers from 10 high-potential cashew-producing provinces.
The master trainers will subsequently train local farmers on improved production techniques aimed at reducing costs, increasing productivity and raising incomes.
CAC, SDF and PIKT are also developing a curriculum for training master trainers in cashew-processing plant operations. The program is intended to prepare skilled workers for Cambodia’s planned Cashew Industrial Park.
Suy Kokthean, Vice-President of CAC and a speaker at the workshop, said the partners are working to ensure that the necessary workforce is prepared before the industrial park becomes fully operational.
“Once the Cashew Industrial Park officially launches, we will have skilled workers ready to support the zone,” he said.
The initiative underscores the growing importance of industry-led skills development as Cambodia seeks to expand domestic processing, attract investment, create higher-value employment and strengthen its competitiveness in emerging green industries.
