A recent report by the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MLVT) predicts a surge in job creation this year. The report, titled “Labour Market Information Bulletin: Economic and Labour Market Outlook for Cambodia”, forecasts a whopping 220,000 new jobs in 2024, reflecting a healthy 2.3% increase.
This positive outlook aligns with Cambodia’s strong economic growth, which is expected to reach 6.6% in 2024. The MLVT report predicts this trend to continue, with job growth averaging 2.5% annually, leading to a total of 10.2 million jobs by 2026.
Leading Sectors for Job-Creating:
The report identifies several industries that will be particularly hot for job seekers. These include:
- Tourism and Hospitality: With Cambodia’s thriving tourism industry, hotels, restaurants, and travel agencies are poised to see significant job growth.
- Construction: Cambodia’s booming construction sector will continue to create new opportunities for workers in this field.
- Manufacturing: Various manufacturing industries are expected to add new jobs, driven by increasing investment and economic activity.
- Wholesale and Retail Trade: The growth of Cambodia’s retail sector will translate to new jobs in shops, malls, and distribution centers.
- Transportation and Logistics: As Cambodia’s economy expands, the demand for efficient transportation and logistics services will create new jobs in this sector.
Demanded Skills:
The MLVT report also highlights the specific skills that employers will be looking for in this job market. Brushing up on these skills can give you a competitive edge:
- Manual Labor Skills: These remain crucial in many sectors of the Cambodian economy.
- Sales and Customer Service Skills: With a growing focus on customer service, these skills will be valuable assets.
- Mechanical and Engineering Skills: Cambodia’s developing industries will require workers with these technical skills.
The report emphasizes the importance of additional valuable skills, including:
- English Language Skills
- IT Skills
- Problem-Solving Skills
- Communication Skills
- Mandarin Language Skills (increasingly valuable)
- Teamwork Skills
- Time Management Skills
- Supervisory Skills
- Client Relationship Skills
The data from the MLVT Labour Market Bulletin for the first quarter of 2024 paints a picture of a dynamic and evolving job market in Cambodia. With promising job growth trends, a focus on in-demand skills, the emergence of new industries, and targeted government initiatives, Cambodia is poised to offer a diverse array of new job opportunities to its workforce.
Source: Labour Market Information Bulletin – Economic and Labour Market Outlook for Cambodia
Photos by: International Organization for Migration and Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of Cambodia
