Labour Market Assessment for Skills Development Project (SDP)

The Skill Development Project (SDP) aimed to increase income and employment opportunities for disadvantaged young women and men in the three rural provinces of Preah Vihear, Stung Treng and Kratie and to contribute to the creation of an inclusive, relevant, qualitative and well-coordinated Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system nationwide. The programme’s four components covered mobile training, hospitality training, apprenticeships, and national policy. In order to design successful vocational skills development initiatives for all components an independent verification of potential SME-TVET initiatives and assessment of the labour market was carried out. Primary objectives of study
were:
• Provide an overview of the labour market in the three provinces by investigating supply and demand
• Provide an overview of strong and growing economic sectors with potential for employment of SDP’s target group
• Identify sector associations and formal and informal business in both rural and semiurban areas, and ascertain employers who are interested in collaborating with SDP
• Identify any concrete entry points for SDP to facilitate mobile or work-place based training and apprenticeships in SMEs and in larger companies where the research suggests this is possible
• Based on findings, suggest options for a training model for implementing vocational training in priority sectors in the three provinces with an emphasis on private sector engagement
• Maintain a focus on vocational training that will lead to gainful employment for graduates
Sambodhi performed the following task:
An analysis of the labour market including identification of strong and growing economic sectors and association of formal and informal businesses was conducted and a Rapid Market Assessment (RMA) approach was adopted. Based on RMA approach Sambodhi designed the research methodology and identified assessment indicators. Sambodhi designed sampling strategy, research implementation plan, analytical assessment plan. Primary data collection, including key-informant interview and structured interview were conducted. Facilitation of stakeholder’s workshop, data analysis and report writing were also conducted. Multiple workshops were conducted for results dissemination to a wide audience including government agencies.