JFPRCambodia

Skills Bridging in Battambang Institute of Technology

2011-11-20T00:42:00.001-08:00

Skills Bridging Students took the test to show that they have mastered the required competencies to register in a certificate program if they want to. A number of the graduates have already registered in the institute's certificate programs.

This is now the second phase of the program and marked improvement has been achieved in the performance with 432 students successfully passing the test out of 549 registered students. This is 78% completion compared to 67% in the first phase.

Post Harvest Technology Food Labs

2011-11-12T21:44:00.000-08:00

Three food labs have been constructed, one each on the campus of Kampot Institute of Polytechnic(KIP), Polytechnic Institute of Battambang Province (PIB) and Siem Reap Provincial Training Center.

Renovation of space to create a food lab has also been completed at NPIC, the National Polytechnic Institute of Cambodia. There is a plan to offer at NPIC a two-year diploma program in Food Processing Technology thus, the better equipment provided here. This is to ensure that Cambodia continues to grow in this area as it increases its agricultural and food production.

With the completion of the 4 food labs and the training of 20 lab managers, the post harvest training is moving on to phases 2 and 3.

The food labs have been also used to experiment on new recipes resulting into new products that small groups of women in villages can make and sell. Siem Reap's chili sauce is now selling very well and groups of women are now doing the sauce in their own premises and selling very well making them increase their daily earnings.

JFPR Trains the Trainers

2011-01-11T02:53:00.000-08:00

Of the 3,000 families the project promised to train in Post Harvest and Food proscessing, it already completed 1000 families and in its mid term review, the ADB team judges the outcomes to be highly satisfactory.

To move it to the next level, the consultants are providing Phase 2 of the Train the Trainers to twenty lab managers and ministry staff. The focus this time is on linking of farmers with food processors and food hygiene so that the products meet reasonable standars. When the training is finished, the consultants will visit each of the 4 labs to make sure the lab managers understand and can use all the new equipment and to solve any problems that have come out of the first round of commune based ttraining.

Response from farmers up to now has been very positive. One farmer with a big grin told evaluators that he was now learning science and could use science to improve all of his farming. Another said, "I learned how to pick mangoes properly so they would not stain and spoil. My mangoes are the best in the market now and I get the best price." Yet another said, I 've learned how to keep air away from my bananas after I pick them. And they last three times as long without spoiling.

Interest is unstoppable for post harvest technology training

2010-12-15T21:08:00.000-08:00

In another commune in Siem Reap province, the Council has referred six family heads for food processing training. The six showed up for training but over the next hour, nine more family heads came in close enough to listen. They coukld not be turned away.

Comments from JFPR Post Harvest participants

2010-12-15T21:05:00.000-08:00

For many of the farmers in Cambodia, this is their first exposure to any teaching other than their fathers. One said, "This is Science. I never knew anything but what my Father told me."

Another said, "Doing one little thing, my bananas now last 3 times longer at the market."

I another commune, a farmer said, "Now, almost all my fruits gets to the market unhurt"

Two neighbors said, "We lose too many vegetables because no buyer. Now, we pickle and bring to market next month when everyone wants them."

DGTVET Completes JFPR Skills Bridging Phase 1

2010-12-01T00:21:00.000-08:00

The ADB-JFPR Skills Bridging Program has now completed its first phase. This project's over all objective is to identify a model or models of training management to upgrade school drop-outs to the entry level competencies required for DGTVET certificate programs. The three models in the original design of the project have all been successful with minor weaknesses that can easily be addressed in Phase 2.

So far, 365 trainees enrolled in the 7-month-168 hours program using a common curriculum in mathematics, science and Khmer. Of these, 267 successfully completed the program. Partial data on drop-outs reveals that satisfaction with the program was high but employment opportunities and various family obligations led to their leaving the program.

Unique Products at the Water Festival Trade Fair

2010-11-19T23:17:00.000-08:00

The ADB-JFPR Post harvest Technology Project involving the National Polytechnic Institute of Cambodia, the Polytechnic Institute of Battambang, the Kampot Polytechnic Institute and the Siem Reap Provincial Training Center under the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training are promoting technical and vocational education (TVET) in the Water Festival of Cambodia Trade Fair by selling their post harvest products. Most importantly, they are showing to people what these insitutions are doing for Cambodia's development and that they can learn these skills from these institutions.

Producst included jams, pickles, chips, sauces and juices. Visit their booths and try some of their products. You can pick up brochures and materials fo rthose interested to try post harvest technology.

TVET: Technology that Works

The ADB-JFPR-MOLVT Booth at the 2011 Battambang Water Festival

2010-11-19T06:23:00.000-08:00

The ADB-JFPR-MOLVT Project participated in the Battambang 2011 Water Festival Fair to raise awareness of the importance of TVET to the Cambodian economy.

The competition for skills worldwide has become stiff and countries are working hard to advance the skills of its own workforce.

The Polytechnic of Battambang had a booth to sell products made as part of the JFPR Post Harvest Technology Project. Products vary from juices to pickles to chips, all made by those trained in the JFPR Project.

JFPR Post Harvest Project Will Sell Products at the Water Festival Fair in Phnom Penh

2010-10-28T18:06:00.000-07:00

JFPR Post Harvest Technology Project will have two booths in the 2010 Water Festival Fair in Phnom Penh Cambodia this November 20-22. Come and visit these booths and surprise yourself with what communes can produce with the help of their Provincial Training Centers.

So far the pumpkin chips are favourites for those who have tried it. But they have other products that communes have painstakingly produced based on the training they have taken in this JFPR Project.

The fair is in Koh Pich or as some call it the Diamond Island. JFPR is now set up there. In fact, they have started selling. JFPR has taken as its theme: TVET-Technology that Works! Look for them in the Water Festival Trade Fair.

The Idea of Development Pilots

2010-04-23T21:39:00.000-07:00

So many pilot programs go nowhere because they are seen as ends in themselves rather than tests of alternatives...with the best alternatives being implemented as part of policy or to influence policy direction. In this JFPR we are pushing two pilot packages: how do we integrate post harvest technology and food training into rural TVET and what "second chance" program will work with out-of-school youth in Cambodia to get them onto the TVET learning ladder that will take them as far as they want to go?

In late April, in a meeting of consultants and senior TVET institution directors and Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training staff, the issue of setting a competency test for skills bridging completers was addressed. Who will set the test items? How can we make sure that institutions to which the graduates of skills bridging apply will accept them as having the same chance as Grade 9 graduates for success in our TVET certificate programs? What level needs to sign skills bridging certificates to make sure they are recognized? The answers came quickly.....but a much bigger policy issue emerged. If we have one credible entry test for certificate programs based on the Math, Science and Language skills needed by TVET certificate students to be successful, why not ask every applicant to write it as a placement test? Why not open it up as a challenge test so that where you learned wasn't important? Let out-of-school youth learn by themselves...or with NGOs...or in the Government Skills Bridging program...it makes no difference IF we have confidence in the competency based entry test!

Or, perhaps, all students taking skills short courses in Provincial Centers can also take the Skills Bridging curriculum...and move onto the new Regional Centers into certificate programs.

This is the job of the pilot program...not just to test out new ways of doing things, but of opening up policy options on a much larger scale.

Post Harvest Technology Food Labs

2010-03-14T22:29:00.000-07:00

JFPR 9133 in Cambodia will soon start the construction of three food labs, one each on the campus of Kampot Institute of Polytechnics, Battambang Institute of Technology and Siem Reap Provincial Training Center. Renovation of space to create a food lab is required at National Polytechnic Institute of Cambodia (NPIC)in Phnom Penh. All site plans, construction drawings have been completed as well as the cost estimates for the three food labs. After receiving the No Objection to start the bidding process, the invitation for bid was advertised in local newspapers in English and in Khmer. The selling of bidding documents will last for one month and the bid opening is scheduled on 29 January 2010. The project is expected to award the contracts to the lowest responsive bidder and start the construction by mid February 2010. The Bill of Quantity (BOQ) and the detailed cost estimate has begun and bidding process through National shopping will start soon after receiving No objection from ADB CARM. During this quarter, all sites were visited by the Civil Engineer,Chuy Samol,a basic site plan was completed, and a basic design for the proposed structures was completed with cost estimates. The plan has been presented to the institutions and accepted.

Training in TVET Skills Bridging Under Way

2010-03-11T01:48:00.000-08:00

Training for over 300 students has commenced in the three institutions chosen to implement the JFPR skills bridging component. Three models are being tested in these three institutions: center based provision in the National Technical Training Institute (NTTI), community based provision in Kampot Institute of Technology and NGO based provision in Battambang Institute of Technology working with Don Bosco. Rod Williams and Sovannka Ho, the two consultants working on this component have visited the three models and have only excellent feedback. Eight skills areas have been identified as potentially in demand and TVET courses have been designed to train students in these skills areas. These include: Agriculture, Industry Mechanic, Electricity, Electronics, Graphic Design, Auto Repair, Masonry, Air Conditioning, Metal Engineering, Metal Turning (Lathe), Welding,and General Mechanics.Discussions were also held by the two consultants with the TVET Institutes and DGTVET staff regarding entry standards. There is agreement to allow for entry at various levels depending on the previous schooling of students.

Post Harvest Technology Training

2010-02-12T17:57:00.000-08:00

JFPR conducted a month long training on post harvest technology for trainers from institutions involved in the project. The training was led by Dr. Arthur Bamunuarachchi, an international expert on post harvest from Sri Lanka. With him, were the very able national consultants, Huy Em and Tong So Cheath. Around 22 trainers graduated and are now going to have further training not only to strengthen the skills already learned but to learn new skills as well. As soon as the communes are ready, these trainers will be fielded to train participants from these communes. The training included marketing and micro-credit which the participants appreciated.

JFPR 9133 Skills Bridging Program: An Introductory Workshop

2010-01-12T20:11:00.000-08:00

On November 14-15, 2009,tThe JFPR team conducted an introductory workshop at the Polytechnic Institute of Battambang for the skills bridging program. Close to 60 people attended the opening of the workshop with the Deputy Governor of Battambang emphasizing the need for skills development in the country. What satisfied him most is the second chance Cambodians will get in the skills bridging program.

The Team Leader, Tom Norton, gave the overview of the program followed by the Deputy Team Leader, Tung Sopheap who explained to the participating institutions the administrative requirements of the program.

Also in attendance is the ADB review mission headed by Sophea Mar.

Development of Skills Bridging Training/Teaching Materials

2010-01-12T19:21:00.000-08:00

His Excellency Pich Sophoan, Secretary of State of MOLVT, opened the Skills Bridging Workshop under the JFPR 9133 project held at the National Technical Training Institute (NTTI) in Cambodia. The workshop conducted by Rod Williams, the International Specialist and Ho Sovannka, the National consultant was held on January 4-6, 2010.

The NTTI director, H.E. Yook Souphy presented the entry standards for technology courses in Khmer Language, Science and Mathematics which was presented by the director of NTTI, H.E.Yook Souphy. The specialists presented the teaching/training materials, assessment of students, classroom management and the monitoring and evaluation processes in skills bridging. The 29 participants then broke off into groups to discuss the points. Feedback to the skills bridging proposals were then collated and reported. These will then be used to revise the program.

This workshop is a key step in the implementation of the skills bridging program planned under the JFPR 9133.

JFPR Team Visits Battambang, Banteay Meanchey and Poipet

2009-10-24T23:04:00.000-07:00

On October 23-24, 2009, the JFPR Team visited the Polytechnic Institute of Battambang and the Battambang Institute of Technology to discuss some of the issues in the implementation of the program. In the meeting with the head of the Polytechnic Institute of Battambang, Director Van Deth and her staff, the team finalized the space for the construction of the Food Lab needed by the Post Harvest Technology program.

At the meeting with the director of the Battambang Institute of Technology, Van Dy, and his staff, the team learned of the skills bridging program already started by the insitution as they saw the need in a number of their students and also because of their strong commitment to upgrade the human resource skills of Cambodia. Such experience will better inform the team in the programming of the skills bridging program. The Director and his staff are now eager to test out the model of working with a non-government organization to further enrich their own programming.

A visit by the team to Poipet also yielded productive results as the Don Bosco Training Center there has already a bridging program in place and shared their curriculum and experience in the implementation of the program. The fact that these institutions started the program showed the growing need for this as Cambodians realize the need for more advanced skills to cope with the knowledge economy.

The team also did a visit of the Provincial Training Center at Banteay Meanchey as it was on the way through from Poipet back to Battambang. The new director has done a very good job of managing the Center's limited resources.

Inception Workshop

2009-10-12T23:18:00.000-07:00

The JFPR Project on Post Harvest Technology Skills Development and the TVET Skills Bridging Program organized an inception workshop at the National Technical Training Institute in Phnom Penh on October 7, 2009. The featured speakers included His Excellency Pich Sophoan, Secretary General of Technical and Vocational Education at the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training and Mr. Sophea Mar, the ADB Project Officer for the project.

The TVET leaders in the Provincial TVET Centers involved in the project attended the conference where they discussed with both the international and local consultants as well as Ministry officials models and ideas that will work in the two target areas of post harvest technology and skills building. The group discussions were lively and productive.