Training institute opens for Cambodia's garment workers

The new Cambodian Garment Training Institute (CGTI) has opened, hoping to narrow the gap between training needs and existing jobs in Cambodia’s garment industry.

Garment Manufacturers Association in Cambodia (GMAC) sought for companies to fund the institute over two years ago after concerns were raised about low productivity and lack of skilled labour forfeiting the future of the manufacturing industry.

The project received a loan of 3 million dollars from the development arm of the French government (Agence Française de Développemen) to construct the building.

Now open, the institute is based in Phnom Penh’s Special Economic Zone and currently offers three diplomas in Apparel Design and Product Development, Apparel Merchandising, and Industrial Engineering, Quality and Production as well as a plethora of short courses.

The courses are exclusive to GMAC registered factories, with an estimated 600,000 workers amongst the 549 garment factories and 57 footwear factories that are registered. These member factories raised 700,000 dollars to cover just three years of CGTI operation costs, as well as funding for employees unable to afford the courses.

As the country’s largest export, teachers from India and Singapore aim to enhance the skills of Cambodian factories, bringing hope for the future of the growing manufacturing industry.

The first courses launched in July, with 80 students from four factories taking part.