When Cambodian youth are equipped with the right skills, they can do anything. Sreykhuoch Chin, a graduate from UNESCO’s Basic Education Equivalency Programme (BEEP), is now enrolled in a vocational training programme for automotive mechanics and breaking the mould in a male-dominated occupation.
When Sreykhuoch walked into the National Polytechnique Institute of Angkor (NPIA) for the first day of her automotive mechanic course, it felt like her dream was finally coming true.
I’ve always been interested in car production and the quality of cars. Although I don’t have a car, I’m always looking at the make and the different parts of a car
Like in the rest of the world, the automotive mechanics industry in Cambodia is overwhelmingly male-dominated. Even if Sreykhuoch is one of just three female students enrolled in the programme, she does not let it intimidate her.
I don't think only men can do this job; women can do this job too. I want to have the same job opportunities as men. We speak and understand the same language as men so both men and women can learn the different parts of a car. In terms of learning, we have the same level of understanding.
Unlocking the potential of youth through flexible learning and skills development
For many years after her mother became unemployed in 2014, Sreykhuoch has been juggling two jobs, working 16 hours a day and seven days a week, to provide for her family.
After I dropped out of Grade 9, I worked as an assistant chef at my uncle’s restaurant in the morning, and then as a server at another restaurant in the afternoon.
It was at the second restaurant where she met a friend of her uncle, who was working as a BEEP facilitator and supported her to change the course of her life. The facilitator introduced her to BEEP, a joint initiative launched by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS) and the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MLVT) with UNESCO’s support to provide basic education equivalency and skills development opportunities for school dropouts like Sreykhuoch. The programme is part of Decent Employment for Youth in Cambodia (DEY), a joint UN initiative to support young Cambodians to obtain decent and productive employment opportunities.
After learning about BEEP, Sreykhuoch enrolled in the programme in 2019 at NPIA, one of four BEEP learning centres located in Siem Reap province – almost five years after she dropped out of secondary school.
I was very determined. I’ve always wanted to continue with my education, and I wanted to have a specific technical skill so that I can have better employment opportunities. After speaking with the BEEP facilitator, I knew exactly what kind of skill I wanted to have – I wanted to pursue further skills training in automotive mechanics.
Self-paced flexible learning to re-engage school dropouts
As Sreykhuoch did not complete her lower secondary education, she needed a flexible alternative pathway to earn the required qualifications before she could enrol in further skills training at a TVET institute or General and Technical High Schools. Working two jobs and seven days a week, however, meant that returning to full-time education, which would have impacted her family’s livelihood, was not an option for her.
Sreykhuoch’s experience is not uncommon in Cambodia, where school dropout is a multi-faceted issue. Among all the factors influencing school dropouts – including gender and geographical location – poverty is the single largest factor contributing to school dropouts. Many young Cambodians who dropped out of school are often engaged in full-time professional activities to earn an income for their families. To bring these youth back into education, the learning modality needs to be flexible for learners to complete their education without affecting their ability to support their families. Through BEEP, youth who had dropped out of school are able to complete lower secondary education equivalent to Grade 9 – both at home, at the nearest BEEP learning centre or anywhere – at their own pace.
While most BEEP learners complete the programme in five to six months, it took Sreykhuoch slightly longer due to her unique personal circumstances and the COVID-19 pandemic. “It was quite challenging as I was juggling two jobs, so it took me almost one year to complete the programme. But I was able to do it at my own pace and I remember telling myself not to give up despite all the challenges,” she recalled.
Supporting youth to dream big
Sreykhuoch’s perseverance and hard work have now paid off. After receiving her BEEP certificate accredited by the MoEYS and MLTV, she enrolled in her desired vocational training programme in automotive mechanics at NPIA earlier this year. Her interest in motor vehicles means that she quickly eased into the course.
Learning about a car’s electrical system has been the most interesting part of the course so far. Nothing is a challenge as long as I’m willing to learn. The subjects I’ve learned through BEEP, especially mathematics and physics, have really helped me to excel in the course – for example, measuring angles, fractions and geometry
For Sreykhuoch, her next goal is to be selected for the internship programme at a global automotive manufacturer which recently inaugurated its first assembly plant in Pursat province.
NPIA has a memorandum of understanding with the automobile company to place students who have completed the Technical and Vocational Certificate 1 (C1) in automotive mechanics in an internship programme at the assembly plant. I really want to join the internship programme and hopefully get an employment opportunity with them afterwards. One day, I want to set up a car manufacturing company to produce locally made cars here in Cambodia.
Through her determination to break the mould in automotive mechanics, Sreykhuoch wants to inspire other young Cambodians who share the same experience as her to continue their education and pursue their passion.
Don’t give up hope – even if you were a school dropout, you can still continue with your education and skills training through BEEP.
BEEP is part of the second phase of Decent Employment for Youth in Cambodia (DEY), a joint UN programme supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and UNESCO. The free online-based initiative is launched by the MoEYS and MLTV with UNESCO’s support to address the issue of high dropout rates at lower secondary level and to promote skills development in Cambodia. Upon completion of the programme, learners receive an accredited certificate equivalent to Grade 9 recognized by the two ministries. Since its launch, more than 1,500 learners have benefitted from BEEP. Learn more.
