REGIONAL SKILLS AGENDA HIGHLIGHTED AS CAMBODIA MARKS NATIONAL TVET DAY
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia, June 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cambodia marked its National TVET Day on 15 and 16 June 2025 in support of AYOS 2025, where Chief Strategy Officer of the Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp), Malaysia, Dr. Rony Ambrose Gobilee was invited as a panellist to emphasise the need to align education with ASEAN's labour market demands.
Dr. Rony, who is also the Chairman of the ASEAN Year of Skills (AYOS) 2025, said that it is paramount for TVET to play a more significant role in connecting academic credentials with real-world skills.
"Across the region, there's room to strengthen the connection between academic credentials and practical skills. TVET provides an effective bridge - responsive, practical and future-focused," said Dr. Rony.
The 8th National TVET Day, held under the theme "TVET: Creating Job Opportunities and Building Hope for Youth," was officiated by H.E. Dr. Hang Chuon Naron, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, representing H.E. Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of Cambodia.
This prestigious invitation reflects the strong regional collaboration through the AYOS initiative, with HRD Corp at the forefront of Malaysia's Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA) efforts in championing regional skills development.
Importantly, the International Labour Organization (ILO) serves as technical advisor for AYOS, helping ASEAN countries build cross-border partnerships and drive the initiative's flagship platforms.
The event highlights the Cambodian government's active participation in the AYOS 2025 initiative and reinforces ASEAN-wide recognition of this event as part of the official AYOS calendar.
Malaysia's participation underscores its commitment to advancing TVET as a catalyst for economic growth, workforce resilience, and inclusive development. As ASEAN 2025 Chair, Malaysia is leading the AYOS, an ambitious, year-long initiative driven by KESUMA through HRD Corp, with support from the ASEAN Secretariat (ASEC) and the ILO.
AYOS 2025 features seven flagship platforms—including AHCDIS, NTW, ATMC, ASEAN TVET Conference, NHCCE, GSF, and AFMM-HCD—designed to boost skills development, foster collaboration, and align human capital strategies across ASEAN.
The Minister of Human Resources Malaysia (KESUMA), The Honourable Steven Sim Chee Keong, emphasised the importance of regional cooperation in skills development and reaffirmed Malaysia's readiness to invest in ASEAN's shared future.
"For the first time, we will be extending these high-quality training opportunities beyond our own borders to our friends all over ASEAN. This is Malaysia's investment in ASEAN and human capital development. Our ambition is to make ASEAN the most skilled region in the world through deeper and more meaningful partnerships with our fellow member states," said Minister Steven Sim.
Malaysia's commitment to TVET reform is evident nationally through the establishment of the National TVET Council and ongoing efforts to form a TVET Commission to streamline governance and strengthen industry linkages, supported by key agencies such as Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) and Department of Skills Development (DSD).
"This is the spirit of ASEAN - not competition, but collaboration," said Dr. Rony. "Together, we can create an integrated skills ecosystem that empowers youth, drives innovation and accelerates growth for all."
For more information on AYOS 2025 and its regional initiatives, visit www.aseanyearofskills.org.
SOURCE Human Resource Development Corporation
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