Strengthening employability – targeted, collaborative, effective
Since March 2022, Pius Frick has been coordinating the country programme of the Liechtenstein Development Service (LED) in Cambodia. In this interview, he explains why targeted vocational training is essential for young people, what Liechtenstein contributes – and how the work on the ground creates tangible impact.
Pius, what exactly is your role in Cambodia?
I head the LED country office in Phnom Penh. Together with local partners, I build a portfolio of vocational training projects tailored to the needs of the country. The LED country programme for Cambodia serves as my guideline. In coordination with the relevant ministries, business organisations and competent institutions, we aim to develop projects that improve vocational training. Regular exchange with other donors and stakeholders in the vocational training sector is also part of the job. So, a large part of my work is coordination.
Why the focus on vocational training?
Because it is essential for the country’s social and economic development. Cambodia has a very young population – the average age is around 26 years (compared to 44 years in Liechtenstein). Every year, hundreds of thousands of young people reach working age. But many of them have not completed primary education, let alone vocational training. The economy is heavily focused on low-wage sectors. For diversification and greater value creation, skilled workers are needed. That’s why the national development strategy places strong emphasis on education and vocational training.
Moreover, the vocational training system is still relatively new. After the genocide and the long period of instability caused by remaining Khmer Rouge factions, systematic vocational training only began to develop around the early 2000s. Like the general education system, vocational training is still at a shockingly low level. This entrenches existing inequalities. Children from economically disadvantaged families, in particular, often drop out of school early and thus have almost no access to vocational training. This leaves them with little chance to break out of the intergenerational cycle of poverty. If you are born into a poor family, you’re likely to remain poor.
What do these inequalities look like?
There is a double divide: between urban and rural areas – and between genders. In cities, access to education, vocational training and digital infrastructure is better. Of course, there are also disadvantaged and poor people in the cities. But in rural areas, the offer is not only more limited but also of lower quality. Girls and young women are significantly underrepresented in technical professions. Technology and digitalisation are still often seen as a “male” domain. Yet digital skills are becoming increasingly important in the labour market. Those who are already disadvantaged will therefore face even greater barriers to accessing better jobs. Many end up working on low-wage assembly lines, often under difficult conditions. There is work in Cambodia – but many jobs barely provide enough to survive, let alone live a dignified life. In fact, a large portion of the population can be described as “working poor”: they are just above the official poverty line, but they remain part of a very vulnerable group.
What specific topics are you working on?
Our three focus areas are: vocational training for the energy transition, for tourism, and for digital transformation. These are all dynamic and promising sectors. We also aim to promote vocational training for professions that offer a decent income.
The energy sector faces major challenges. The country’s electricity consumption has increased sevenfold over the past 15 years. The government wants to require large companies to improve energy efficiency and increase the share of renewable energy. For a sustainable energy future, skilled workers are needed. Tourism is the third-largest employer and also offers prospects for women – especially outside urban centres, where jobs are scarcer. As for digital skills, the goal is to ensure participation for all.
How is the willingness to change visible locally?
A good example is the PISA study. Cambodia – one of the few countries in the Global South – has participated twice. It had the lowest scores among all participating countries in reading, writing, maths and science. The results were sobering, but important. They clearly show where the education system stands. The Minister of Education wants reforms. There is also willingness for reform within the Ministry of Labour. That is a good basis. But the challenges are enormous, the resources limited and the number of experts very small.
How does LED work on the ground?
I think it’s important to understand that LED doesn’t just fund projects that are submitted to us. We actively engage in the conceptual planning of initiatives and make sure they align with the country’s sector strategies. We identify implementing partners who bring relevant expertise, experience, and networks. And of course, we provide both technical and administrative support during implementation. Many donors are somewhat distant from the projects they fund – partly because of their size. LED aims to stay close to the projects and to build strategic partnerships.
That’s also one of the guiding principles of the LED Strategy 2023–2026: by focusing and building technical expertise, we aim to achieve the greatest possible impact with the available resources. In doing so, we adhere to principles such as equal opportunity, gender equity, environmental sustainability, and local ownership.
What does this work bring to Liechtenstein?
It shows that even a small country like Liechtenstein can make a meaningful contribution – when it acts in a targeted, collaborative, and expert-driven way. We’re not only strengthening structures in Cambodia, but also Liechtenstein’s profile as a reliable, competent and committed partner in international development cooperation. As a donor, LED is a recognised partner for both government and private-sector actors. That kind of visibility is much more valuable than the typical “logo placement” in individual projects.
What motivates you personally?
The energy of young people. Their determination to build a future for themselves, despite difficult circumstances. The collaboration with committed partners, teachers and ministries. The work is not always easy – sometimes processes take a long time. But that’s true not only in Cambodia, but also back home. In our projects, time pressure can be frustrating. But when things start moving, they often move fast. Witnessing that is incredibly fulfilling.
