Context: In Cambodia, agriculture is the largest economic sector, where 34.5 per cent of the country’s workforce is active; this is followed by the industrial sector, where the figure is 27.9 per cent. As a consequence, Cambodian youth are mainly exposed to career paths in these fields, especially in rural areas. In addition, the vast majority of Cambodians do not make it past secondary education, with only 5.5 per cent of the population aged 25 or over having completed some form of tertiary education.
Implementation of programme/ initiative: The Dream Management Programme is run by Protect the Earth, Protect Yourself (PEPY), with financial support from the charitable, not-for-profit organization Child’s Dream. The programme aims to educate youth in Cambodia on different career paths and help them discover new job opportunities. It empowers youth to plan their futures, including by furthering their studies. To date, PEPY has partnered with four schools in rural Cambodia and provides elective Dream classes for students in Grades 10 to 12. These classes provide a platform for youth to discuss possible career paths, as well as access to career resources and soft skills training. The programme also hosts other events such as:
- Skill fairs: annual events for students to discover career paths with support from professionals and employers
- Sharing events: motivational and awareness initiatives that bring in professionals from around the country to share their experiences
- Dream talks: opportunities for students to ask questions and discover different jobs from local professionals, leaders and alumni
Main challenges:The Dream classes have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, as access to the Internet and technology among students has decreased. In response to the pandemic, volunteers and teachers have endeavoured to keep students engaged by posting videos online and following up with families and students via phone calls and class Facebook groups.
Results achieved: Out of the four schools in Cambodia where the Dream Management Programme is active, more than 3,000 high school students have attended Dream classes. In 2021, within those four schools where the programme is active, 57 per cent of Dream students applied for scholarships to higher education, as opposed to only 11 per cent of students that were not enrolled in Dream classes. Specifically, in Kralanh High School (part of the programme), in 2019, 78 per cent of their graduates went on to pursue higher education, as opposed to only 29 per cent in 2012.
Moving Forward: PEPY is seeking more engaged and reliable teachers that can conduct regular check-ups with students to keep them connected to the programme; this will decrease the drop-out rate, which rose due to the pandemic. PEPY is also considering expanding from more than the four target schools it is currently operating in. This would allow for a greater number of Cambodian youth to discover more job opportunities.
Replicability: PEPY’s Dream Management Programme targets the lack of awareness among rural Cambodian youth of other possible career paths. The project educates students on different employment opportunities, as well as the importance of pursuing higher education. Other initiatives can, therefore, learn from the Dream Management Programme by raising awareness among youth on alternative possible career paths and inviting professionals from different fields to share their varied experiences with students.
Acknowledgement:
This good practice was kindly prepared by Ms. Mae Jordaine B. Diopenes.
References:
https://pepyempoweringyouth.org/dream-management-program
https://pepyempoweringyouth.org/varins-first-sharing-event-a-step-towards-success_final/
https://pepyempoweringyouth.org/reports/[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Project Details
Date: September 12, 2022