Examining Cambodian upper secondary school students’ perceptions of TVET as a career choice: A cross-sectional study

Authors

  • Vitou Tes Teacher Development Support Organization
  • Saem Oeun National University of Cheasim Kamchaymear

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62037/cjer.2025.05.01.05

Keywords:

TVET, perceptions of TVET, career choice, Cambodian upper secondary school students

Abstract

This study aims to examine Cambodian upper secondary school students’ perceptions of TVET as a career choice. The study was designed as a cross-sectional study, using an online questionnaire survey administered through Google Forms for data collection. Based on 414 responses, the study showed that Cambodian upper secondary school students had moderately positive perceptions of TVET as a career choice. Nearly half (49.3%) of the students lacked knowledge about TVET. The results also revealed that school teachers (58.7%), social media (12.8%), school websites (10.6%), and education fairs (9.9%) were cited as the most common means of gaining knowledge about TVET. Additionally, a positive correlation was found between students’ perceptions of TVET and their likelihood of choosing it as a career path (r = 0.821, p < 0.001). Further analysis showed that perceptions of TVET significantly influenced students’ career choices (β = 0.821, t(412) = 29.23, p < 0.001). This suggests that improvement in students’ perceptions of TVET can increase the likelihood of them choosing TVET as a career path. The study concludes with a discussion of limitations and recommendations for future research.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Vitou Tes, Teacher Development Support Organization

Vitou Tes is a Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at Teacher Development Support Organization in Siem Reap, Cambodia. He is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Development Studies at the Royal University of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. He is also an assistant managing editor at the Cambodian Education Forum. His research interests include economic development and higher education.

Saem Oeun, National University of Cheasim Kamchaymear

Saem Oeun is a PhD Candidate in Education Sciences at the National University of Cheasim Kamchaymear (NUCK), Cambodia. He is also a teacher of English at Hor Nam Hong Preynhea High School and a part-time lecturer at NUCK. He has a Master of Arts in TESOL from the Institute of Foreign Languages (IFL), Royal University of Phnom Penh. His research interests include English Language Teaching and English for General Purposes.

References

Abayomi, W., Tyrell, D., & Bennett, L. (2013). Students’ perception of career and technical education in traditional high schools. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2261273

Alhassan, H., Osei, M., Asinyo, B. K., & Ofori, E. A. (2024). Teacher colleges of education trainees’ perception of the contribution of TVET to socio-economic development: the case of Tamale College of Education. Cogent Education, 11(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2024.2393493

Angkor Times. (2024, October 18). What is TVET and why is it crucial for Cambodia’s future? https://angkortimes.com/question/tvet-in-cambodia/

Asian Development Bank. (2016). Policy priorities for a more responsive technical and vocational education and training system in Cambodia. ADB Briefs No. 73. https://www.adb.org/sites/default/fi les/publication/217341/cambodia-tvet.pdf

Boateng, C., Ackon, F., & Nyarko, I. K. (2024). Factors influencing students’ choice of the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) pathway in the central region of Ghana. African Journal of Empirical Research, 5(4), 1826–1838. https://doi.org/10.51867/ajernet.5.4.152

Borchert, M. (2002). Career choice factors of high school students [Master’s thesis, University of Wisconsin-Stout]. https://www2.uwstout.edu/content/lib/thesis/2002/2002borchertm.pdf

Bruni, M., Luch, L., and Kuoch, S. (2013). Skills shortages and skills gaps in Cambodian labor market: Evidence from employer skills needs survey. ILO Asia-Pacific Working Paper Series. International Labor Organization. https://www.ilo.org/sites/default/files/wcmsp5/groups/public/%40asia/%40ro-bangkok/documents/publication/wcms_231862.pdf

Chang, Y. (2021). The impact of TVET (technical and vocational education and training) on income growth and employment of trainees [Master’s thesis, Korea Development Institute]. https://archives.kdischool.ac.kr/handle/11125/42916

Chea, P., Hun, S., & Song, S. (2021). Permeability in Cambodian post-secondary education and training: A growing convergence. CDRI Working Paper Series No. 130. Cambodia Development Resource Institute. https://cdri.org.kh/publication/permeability-in-cambodian-post-secondary-education-and-training-a-growing-convergence

Chea, S. (2016). Promoting TVET among students in Cambodia: An analysis of DLMI and MoLVT communication strategies in promoting TVET to upper secondary students in Phnom Penh [Bachelor’s thesis, Royal University of Phnom Penh]. http://dx.doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.11567.79523

Chea, S., Song, S., & Hun, S. (2020). Competency-based TVET in Cambodia: Promise and reality. Working Paper Series No. 124. Cambodia Development Resource Institute. https://cdri.org.kh/storage/pdf/wp124e_1617247533.pdf

Chheuy, L. (2024, September 7). Investing in TVET reform: Cambodia needs to keep green jobs and green economy in mind. Cambodianess. https://cambodianess.com/article/investing-in-tvet-reform-cambodia-needs-to-keep-green-jobs-and-green-economy-in-mind

Chhoeung, C. (2011). Upper secondary school students’ perception of technical vocational education and training (TVET) as a career option [Master’s thesis, Royal University of Phnom Penh]. http://ir.hsl.rupp.edu.kh:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/495?show=full

Chhun, S. (2016). Partnerships between Cambodia’s government, NGOs, and the private sector in technical and vocational education training from the NGOs’ perspectives [Master’s thesis, Victoria University of Wellington]. https://doi.org/10.26686/wgtn.17020205

Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods approaches (4th ed.). Sage Publication.

Denscombe, M. (2010). The good research guide: For small-scale social research projects (4th ed.). Open University Press.

Farooq, M. S., Chaudhry, A. H., Shafiq, M., & Berhanu, G. (2011). Factors affecting students’ quality of academic performance: A case of secondary school level. Journal of Quality and Technology Management, 7(2), 1–14. https://www.pu.edu.pk/images/journal/iqtm/PDF-FILES/01-Factor.pdf

Fernandez, C. M., & Choi, K. (2013). Skills development pathways in Asia. In R. Maclean, S. Jagannathan, & J. Sarvi (Eds.), Skills development for inclusive and sustainable growth in developing Asia-Pacific (pp. 155–179). Asian Development Bank. https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/publication/30071/skills-development-inclusive-growth-asia-pacific.pdf

Heng, K. (2024). Understanding Cambodian provincial university students’ perspectives on Cambodia’s vision to become a knowledge-based society. SAGE Open, 14(2), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440241242197

Heng, K., & Sol, K. (2023). Cambodia’s education system: New developments and persistent challenges. In K. Heng, K. Sol, S. Kaing, & S. Em (Eds.), Innovations and challenges in Cambodian education: Youth’s perspectives (pp. 1–19). Cambodian Education Forum. https://cefcambodia.com/2023/09/18/cambodias-education-system-new-developments-and-persistent-challenges/

Hojeij, Z., & Marzouqi, A. A. (2022). Emirati female students pursuing technical and vocational education and training (TVET): Perceptions from the UAE. International Journal of Training Research, 21(1), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1080/14480220.2022.2094449

Hoti, A. H., & Xhemal Zenuni. (2024). Factors influencing student academic performance and career choices. In 8th International Artificial Intelligence and Data Processing Symposium (pp. 1–8). https://doi.org/10.1109/idap64064.2024.10710702

Humayon, A. A., Raza, S., Khan, R. A., & Ansari, N. (2018). Effect of family influence, personal interest and economic considerations on career choice amongst undergraduate students in higher educational institutions of Vehari, Pakistan. International Journal of Organizational Leadership, 7, 129–142. https://doi.org/10.19236/IJOL.2018.02.03

ILO. (2023, July 12). Improve technical and vocational education and training (TVET) to meet skills and labour mismatch. https://www.ilo.org/resource/news/improve-technical-and-vocational-education-and-training-tvet-meet-skills

Ing, K. (2022). The factors improving skill development and skill formation systems in industries: Firm-level analysis of Cambodia's manufacturing industry. The Cambodia Journal of Basic and Applied Research, 4(1), 53–72. http://dx.doi.org/10.61945/cjbar.2022.4.1.3

International Research and Exchanges Board. (2024). Perception survey on the technical and vocational education and training as an educational path. https://www.irex.org/files/TVET-perception-survey

Kazi, A. S., & Akhlaq, A. (2017). Factors affecting students’ career choice. Journal of Research and Reflections in Education, 2, 187–196. https://www.academia.edu/69810583/Factors_Affecting_Students_Career_Choice?nav_from=a59127d6-20d0-47eb-8415-11ac6bd0d961

Khan, S. (2013). High school students’ and teachers’ understanding about TVET and their access to its information [Master’s thesis, Royal University of Phnom Penh].

Khieng, S., Madhur, S., and Chhem, R. (2015). Cambodia education 2015: Employment and empowerment. Cambodia Development Resource Institute. https://cdri.org.kh/storage/pdf/Book%202015_Cambodia%20Education%202015_e_1617248044.pdf

Khmer Times. (2024, June 19). Minister of Education supports TVET modernization. https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501508574/minister-of-education-supports-tvet-modernization/

Khorn, S. (2023). Technical and vocational education and training in Cambodia: Significance, challenges, and ways forward. In K. Heng, K. Sol, S. Kaing, & S. Em (Eds.), Innovations and challenges in Cambodian education (pp. 193–203). Cambodian Education Forum. https://doi.org/10.62037/cef.book.2023.09.05

Kumar, R. (2011). Research methodology: A step-by-step guide for beginners (3rd ed.). Sage Publications.

Madhur, S. (2014). Cambodia’s skill gap: An anatomy of issues and policy options. CDRI Working Paper Series No. 98. Cambodia Development Resource Institute.

Marshall, C., & Rossman, G. B. (2010). Designing qualitative research (5th ed.). Sage.

Miller, A. (2020). Development through vocational education. The lived experiences of young people at a vocational education, training restaurant in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Heliyon, 6(12), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05765

MoLVT. (2017). National technical vocational education and training policy 2017–2025. http://tvetsdp.ntb.gov.kh/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/NTVET-Policy-2017-2025.ENG_.pdf

MoLVT. (2021). General information of TVET institutes (unofficial translation). International Labour Organization. https://www.ilo.org/asia/publications/WCMS_821919/lang–en/index.htm

National Institute of Statistics. (2019). Report on the Cambodia labour force survey 2019. https://www.nis.gov.kh/nis/CLFS/CLFS19_Final_Full%20Report_EN.pdf

Nirmala, D. P., & Lelissa, C. (2013). Students’ attitude towards technical-vocational education program in Oromia regional state. Asian Journal of Research in Social Sciences and Humanities, 3(2), 36–46. https://www.indianjournals.com/ijor.aspx?target=ijor:ajrssh&volume=3&issue=2&article=004

Nordin, D. N., & Omar, M. K. (2024). Factors influencing TVET readiness among students at public secondary school: Exploring interest, motivation, and self-efficacy. Asian Journal of Vocational Education and Humanities, 5(1), 10–19. https://doi.org/10.53797/ajvah.v5i1.2.20241

OECD. (2010). Learning for jobs: Synthesis report of the OECD reviews of vocational education and training. https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/reports/2010/08/learning-for-jobs_g1g103ea/9789264087460-en.pdf

OECD. (2019). What characterizes upper secondary vocational education and training? Education Indicators in Focus No. 68. https://doi.org/10.1787/a1a7e2f1-en

Oeun, S., & Heng, K. (2024). A literature review on the effects of failure in the English subject in national grade 12 examinations on Cambodian students. Journal of Research on English and Language Learning, 5(2), 269–281. https://doi.org/10.33474/j-reall.v5i1.22561

Omar, A. S. B. H., & Desa, Z. B. M. (2023). Factors influencing TVET choices among secondary school students in Kuching. Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 8(7), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.47405/mjssh.v8i7.2380

Open Development Cambodia. (2022, January 13). Vocational education. https://opendevelopmentcambodia.net/topics/vocational-education/

Paryono. (2017). The importance of TVET and its contribution to sustainable development. AIP Conference Proceedings, 1887(1), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5003559

Pavlova, M. (2014). TVET as an important factor in country’s economic development. SpringerPlus, 3(3), 1–2. https://doi.org/10.1186/2193-1801-3-S1-K3

Rajadurai, J., Sapuan, N. M., Daud, S., & Abidin, N. (2018). The marketability of technical graduates from higher educational institutions (HEIs) offering technical and vocational education and training (TVET): A case from Malaysia. The Asia-Pacific Education Researcher, 27(2), 137–144. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40299-018-0372-7

Shaari, R., Sarip, S., Royo, M. A., & Haron, M. Z. (2024). Attitude towards technical and vocational education and training (TVET): Examining the effect of behavioral insights approach. The International Journal of Training Research, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1080/14480220.2024.2304830

Sibiya, A. T., Nyembezi, N., & Bogopa, D. (2021). TVET engineering students’ perceptions of the value of their qualification and the prospects of employment. Journal of Vocational, Adult and Continuing Education and Training, 4(1), 130–145. https://hdl.handle.net/10520/ejc-jovacet_v4_n1_a9

Singoei, J. K. (2021). Career choice in information technology by students in technical vocational education and training (TVET) institutions in western Kenya [Master’s thesis, University of Edoret]. http://41.89.164.27:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/1180

Song, S. (2022). Splashing water at one another: Public-private partnership in Cambodian TVET. In P. Eam, P. Leng, S. Kieng, & S. Song (Eds.), Cambodian post-secondary education and training in the global knowledge societies (pp. 171–193). Cambodia Development Resource Institute.

Song, S., & Chea, P. (2023). Vocational education and training in Cambodia. In L. P. Symaco & M. Hayden (Eds.), International handbook on education in Southeast Asia (pp. 251–274). Springer. https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/978-981-16-8136-3_44-1

Suy, S. (2020). The role of official development assistance (ODA) in supporting technical and vocational education and training (TVET) for industrial development in Cambodia [Master’s thesis, Seul National University]. https://hdl.handle.net/10371/129073

Tlapana, T., & Myeki, Z. (2020). Students perception towards technical education and vocational training (TVET) colleges in the Greater Buffalo City Metropole. Global Media Journal, 18, 1–4. https://www.globalmediajournal.com/open-access/students-perception-towards-technical-education-and-vocational-training-tevt-colleges-in-the-greater-buffalo-city-metrop.pdf

UNESCO-UNEVOC. (n.d.). TVETipedia glossary. The UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training. https://unevoc.unesco.org/home/TVETipedia+Glossary/show=term/term=Technical+and+vocational+education+and+training#start

Ven, S., & Veung, N. (2020). The contribution of vocational skills development to Cambodia’s economy. CDRI Working Paper Series No. 122. Cambodia Development Resource Institute. https://cdri.org.kh/storage/pdf/WP122e_1617247695.pdf

Veung, N. (2021). Cambodia’s manufacturing industry: Skills formation systems in the workplace. Cambodia Development Review, 25(2), 1–6. https://cdri.org.kh/publication/cambodia-s-manufacturing-industry-skills-formation-systems-in-the-workplace-1

Veung, N. (2024). Collaboration in the Cambodian TVET sector: Why does it matter? The Online Journal for Technical and Vocational Education and Training in Asia, (22), 1–21. https://tvet-online.asia/22/collaboration-in-the-cambodian-tvet-sector-why-does-it-matter/

Veung, N. and Ven, S. (2021). Exploring insights into vocational skills development and industrial transformation in Cambodia. CDRI Working Paper Series No. 131. Cambodia Development Resource Institute. https://cdri.org.kh/storage/pdf/WP131%20Exploring_Insights_1637129221.pdf

Wangdi, S. (2022). Attitude of TTI Rangjung trainees towards TVET in Bhutan. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Explorer, 2(6), 18–30. https://doie.org/10.0701/IJMRE.2022139476

Yaacob, A., Awang-Hashim, R., Valdez, N., & Yusoff, N. (2019). Illuminating diversity practices in Malaysian higher education institutions. Asia Pacific Journal of Educators and Education, 34, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.21315/apjee2019.34.1

Yamane, T. (1973). Statistics: An introductory analysis. John Weather Hill.

Yok, S., Chrea, S., & Pak, R. (2019). Technical and vocational education and training in Cambodia: Current status and future development. In B. Bai & Paryono (Eds.), Vocational education and training in ASEAN member states. Perspectives on rethinking and reforming education. Springer.

Zhi, W. W. & Atan, S. A. (2021). Factors influencing students’ attitudes towards technical and vocational education and training (TVET). Research in Management of Technology and Business, 2(1), 335–348. https://publisher.uthm.edu.my/periodicals/index.php/rmtb/article/view/1848

Zulkarnain, Z. A. B., & Yasin, R. M. (2023). Systematic literature review: Factors influencing the lack of participation in TVET among students: Motivational aspects. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 12(4), 812–822. http://dx.doi.org/10.6007/IJARPED/v12-i4/20022

Downloads

Published

10-06-2025

How to Cite

Tes, V., & Oeun, S. (2025). Examining Cambodian upper secondary school students’ perceptions of TVET as a career choice: A cross-sectional study. Cambodian Journal of Educational Research, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.62037/cjer.2025.05.01.05