NPIC and RMA Cambodia join in launch of Ford Technical Training Workshop
Ngorn Saing, CEO of RMA (Cambodia) Plc (L), Bun Phearin, president of the NPIC (middle) and Pok Pann, Secretary of state of the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (second from right) at the launch of the Ford Technical Training Workshop at NPIC. KT/Sok Chan
Ford Cambodia, the largest division operated by RMA Cambodia Plc (RMA), yesterday delivered two Ford vehicles to the National Polytechnic Institute of Cambodia (NPIC) for the launch of the Ford Technical Training Workshop.
It is part of a programme that will be run at NPIC under the auspices of the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training.
Ngorn Saing, chief executive officer of RMA, said the company is supporting the programme through the renovation of the workshop, the equipping of the facilities in the centre and the handover of two Ford vehicles. It will allow for vocational training that provides students with the ability to study and practise skills with an RMA-provided trainer through the partnership with NPIC.
Saing noted that the providing of the two Ford vehicles will enable the workshop to contribute to the development of human resources in Cambodia in response to the growing market demand for automotive technical expertise and experience in the Kingdom.
He added that RMA has supported four schools across the country, two in Phnom Penh, one in Battambang and another in Siem Reap.
“What we expect is that youths will be equipped with the skills [they need] once they graduate with enough ability to work in the automotive industry,” he added.
Saing added that Ford will continue its support for those institutions and that training for other vehicles, including tractors, is being looked at, particularly because that would support the needs of the agricultural sector, which also has a need for trained equipment technicians.
“Technology and technical skills are upgrading year-on-year. This requires [upgrades] being implemented in [students’] practical work and research being conducted in alignment with the development of technology,” he noted.
Bun Phearin, president of the NPIC, said that Ford Cambodia’s contribution to the programme involving the two vehicles and other equipment in establishing the workshop as part of NPIC’s faculty of automotive mechanics will serve to enhance training at the institute.
He said that since the institute’s operational launch in 2005, the NPIC has achieved remarkable results in education in technical and vocational training, with students graduating fully qualified and ready to work at quality jobs with attractive incomes.
“Our vision is to train Cambodian students to become technicians and professionals. We teach 22 skills at the institute to 5,000 students. However, this number is not as high as the market demand,” Phearin added.
“During the academic year 2021, around 1,700 students enrolled at the school. Many of them choose bachelor programmes like engineering, despite factories and enterprises seeking skilled labour and technicians. We cannot force students to enrol in vocational programmes,” said Phearin.
He added that he does point out that the 22 skills taught at the school are in high demand by Cambodia’s job market. He actively calls for youths and their parents to discuss and consider technical skills programmes as a path to employment futures that increase opportunity and provide good incomes.
Pok Pann, secretary of state of the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, said that Ford Cambodia has provided 11 Ford Ranger pick-up trucks to the four technical institutes across the country. Five went to Industrial Technical Institute (ITI)’s RMA technical training centre, two were provided to the National Polytechnic Institute of Cambodia, two vehicles were given to the National Polytechnic Institute of Angkor and two vehicles were sent to the Regional Polytechnic Institute Techo Sen Battambang.
“The cooperation between NPIC and Ford is a sign of the company’s trust in the quality of the teaching in the NPIC,” Pann added. Khmer Times
