CAC News
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia, Aug. 24 — The Skills Development Fund (SDF) has brought together private-sector representatives to identify priority skills and address workforce gaps as Cambodia prepares for a more technology-driven and industrial economy.
The Skills Cluster Validation Workshop for Current and Future Industry Demands, held at Himawari Hotel on Aug. 24, brought together around 70 representatives from industry associations and companies across key sectors, including manufacturing, agro-industry, automotive, electronics, clean energy, logistics and digital technology.
The Cashew Nut Association of Cambodia (CAC) was represented by members from Pinex, KAC and Special Trust (Cambodia) Co., Ltd., highlighting the cashew industry's growing role in workforce development.
The workshop aimed to validate current and future skills requirements, identify skills gaps and gather recommendations to guide targeted investment in human resource development. It also encouraged businesses to participate in designing and co-investing in domestic and overseas training programs, including Training of Trainers initiatives.
Speaking at the event, H.E. Ky Sokkim, CEO of SDF, said feedback from companies and enterprises is essential for ensuring that SDF support programs remain relevant to industry needs as Cambodia moves toward a skills-, technology- and capital-driven economy.
He said SDF had supported 101,264 trainees, including 34% women, from 2018 to August 2026. Employer satisfaction reached 89%, while employees' average salaries increased by 27% after completing SDF-supported training.
Impact assessments also found that 89% of participating enterprises reported productivity improvements, while 83% reported a positive return on investment from training supported by SDF.
In 2026, SDF, in cooperation with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and international training institutions, supported five training courses in China for 136 trainers from private companies and training institutions. The programs covered digital construction, industrial robotics, new energy vehicle technology, advanced EV maintenance and electrical skills.
For Cambodia’s cashew sector, CAC's experience in processing and workforce development is expected to become increasingly important as the country seeks to expand domestic processing capacity and develop the planned Cashew Industrial Park (CIP).
The workshop's findings and recommendations will be used to strengthen SDF programs and address both quantitative and qualitative workforce shortages across Cambodia's priority industries.
Reference: SDF
