AKP Phnom Penh, August 11, 2026 -- The National Institute of Entrepreneurship and Innovation (NIEI) has launched a new round of fully funded vocational scholarships and monthly stipends under the Royal Government of Cambodia’s targeted programme to train 1.5 million youth from poor and vulnerable households (TVET 1.5M).

The initiative serves as a vital pathway for disadvantaged youth to gain market-ready technical skills without tuition costs, while providing monthly allowances to help cover family living expenses. Free tuition is also available to general applicants outside the primary assistance group.

According to the institute, the training focuses on six majors aligned with current service and hospitality industry demands: Beverage Business, Bakery and Pastry Production, Beauty and Cosmetology Services, Khmer Culinary Arts, Bartending, and Business Creation and Entrepreneurship.

Applicants can enroll through the TVET 1.5M digital portal, by phone, or directly at the NIEI campus on Russian Boulevard in Khan Sen Sok, Phnom Penh.

The drive reflects a broader national push to elevate skilled labour across the country. Official data show that from 2022 to May 2026, Cambodia’s TVET system trained nearly 700,000 individuals across various skill levels. Between 2024 and May 2026 alone, total enrollment reached over 270,000 students, including nearly 230,000 at ministry-affiliated institutions and more than 40,000 through the Skills Development Fund (SDF).

By K. Rithy Reak