Cambodia–Australia TVET Workshop Launches Automotive Centre of Excellence

Cambodia and Australia have deepened their cooperation in vocational education through a recent TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) workshop that celebrated the launch of a new Automotive Centre of Excellence in Phnom Penh.

Held under the framework of a public–private partnership, the workshop brought together officials from Cambodia’s Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, representatives of RMA (Cambodia) Plc, and educators from Australia’s Bendigo Kangan Institute. The gathering underscored the shared ambition of raising the standard of automotive skills training in Cambodia.

The new centre — part of a joint initiative between RMA Cambodia, Bendigo Kangan Institute, and the Cambodian government — aims to deliver internationally aligned vocational training in automotive mechanics, body repair, and inventory management.

Equipped with modern tools and training facilities, the centre is designed not only to train young Cambodians at a high technical level but also to instill confidence in both students and industry partners. According to workshop speakers, these facilities will help build stronger trust in vocational training and drive long-term workforce development.

The collaboration is rooted in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by RMA (Cambodia) and the Bendigo Kangan Institute, with support from the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training. Under this model, Cambodia will set up the RMA Academy alongside the Automotive Centre of Excellence, offering “lifelong learning pathways” for students and workers alike.

From the Australian side, the project builds on the proven success of Bendigo Kangan Institute’s facilities, including its Automotive Centre of Excellence in Victoria. The institute has also secured funding from the Victorian Government to support teacher training, curriculum development, and technical language micro-credentials tailored for the Cambodian market.

For Cambodia, the launch of this centre aligns with national strategies to strengthen its TVET sector. The initiative echoes broader goals laid out in government policies that emphasize industry-driven training and the establishment of Centers of Excellence to meet labour market demands.