12 April 2023, Phnom Penh— The Advanced Diploma in Energy and Sustainability Management welcomes its first batch of trainees at the Cambodian Garment Training Institute (CGTI).

This long-term diploma course is a joint effort by the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) Cambodia together with Cambodian Garment Training Institute (CGTI), Group for the Environment, Renewable Energy and Solidarity (Geres) and Textile, Apparel, Footwear & Travel Goods Association in Cambodia (TAFTAC). The Advanced Diploma course is funded by USAID, and coordinated by Nathan Associates, a CADMUS Company.

The objective of the Program is to equip Cambodian nationals including fresh university graduates as well as employees from the garment manufacturers with skills related to environmental management, energy management, waste management, resource efficiency, water reuse and required soft skills to uplift the environmental standard in the garment factories.

The ability of garment manufacturers to meet international brands’ environmental requirements has become key to securing purchasing contracts with international garment buyers. However, according to a Training Need Assessment conducted in TAFTAC member factories in Cambodia, human resources with environmental management skills, which are vital for implementing market-leading sustainable sourcing strategies, are scarce.

In the first batch, 11 fresh graduates from various universities and 47 employees from garment manufacturers across Cambodia are attending the Advanced Diploma in Energy and Sustainability training program.

Mr. Mahfuzur Rahman, the Project Manager, GGGI, said, “grounded in prevailing international and market-specific sustainability benchmark schemes such as Higg and relevant ISO standards, this diploma course is the first of its kind in Cambodia. The course will be integrated into the standard training offer at the Cambodian Garment Training Institute (CGTI) and will remain available after the project.’’

The program for the fresh graduates has been designed to be delivered in person and full-time basis for six months. After the training, the new graduates will take part in a paid apprenticeship program followed by job placements. On the other hand, the course for factory employees follow a hybrid mode comprising online classes and fieldwork assignments spread over the period of 10 months. The Advanced Diploma course is comprised of 17 units including basics of energy, water, waste management and heat as well as English and computer skills. In addition to foundational units, the trainees will study advanced units such as ISO 50001, ISO 14001, water reuse, internal and external energy audits as well as environmental management approaches for garment factories in Cambodia.

“Despite its importance, the garment sector always faces a challenge in getting enough workforce. One highlight example is the urgent need for a workforce with environment management skills. That is why this advanced diploma is an encouraging sign for the sector and the future generation that want to consider the garment manufacturing sector,’’ said Andrew Tey, Director of the Cambodian Garment Training Institute (CGTI).

The Advanced Diploma in Energy and Sustainability Management is accredited by the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training which oversees all institutes that provide technical and vocational training programs in Cambodia.

Press Release: www.nathaninc.com/usaid-launches-training-program-to-promote-sustainable-garment-sourcing-in-cambodia/