We spoke with Somary Thuon, Executive Director of SkillUp Cambodia, an organization dedicated to helping university students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, build the practical skills and confidence they need to succeed beyond graduation.

We discussed the gap between higher education and employment in Cambodia, the role businesses can play in closing it through mentoring, internships, and career talks, and SkillUp’s vision for scaling its impact across the country.

Somary shared what inspired her to join SkillUp, the biggest challenges young Cambodians face when entering the workforce, and why she believes strong partnerships between universities, businesses, and organizations like hers are essential to preparing the next generation.

Your career has taken you across social enterprise, vocational training, education, and community development. Could you tell us a little about your professional journey and what inspired you to take on the role of Executive Director at SkillUp Cambodia?  

Somary Thuon: Thank you for the opportunity to speak through the EuroCham newsletter. It’s a great chance for SkillUp Cambodia to gain visibility and connect with organizations and companies that might support us. 

As you may have seen on my LinkedIn profile, I’ve worked in education and social impact for many years. One thing that became clear to me is that getting into university is only the first step for a student. I saw many of them struggle to transition into the professional world once they start their first job. That’s why we started SkillUp Cambodia, and why I joined the organisation. Our mission is to help students develop the practical skills, confidence, and the mindset they need to turn their education into real opportunities. For me, that’s where education has the greatest impact. 

 SkillUp Cambodia was founded with a mission to help students from disadvantaged backgrounds not only access higher education, but succeed once they get there. What gap did you identify in Cambodia’s education landscape, and how is SkillUp working to address it?  

Somary Thuon: Cambodia has made impressive progress in expanding access to higher education, but access alone isn’t enough. Many students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, arrive at university with limited English, limited digital skills, and very little exposure to the professional world. At the same time, employers are increasingly looking for communication skills, critical thinking, adaptability, and initiative. This creates a gap between education and employment. 

SkillUp Cambodia exists to bridge that gap. We work alongside universities to provide complementary training in English, digital literacy, soft skills, leadership, and career readiness, and we also give students access to theatre classes. Ultimately, we’re helping students become more confident and more employable, so they can contribute to Cambodia’s development in the future. 

Cambodia’s economy continues to evolve, with businesses placing greater emphasis on practical skills, adaptability, and workplace readiness. From your perspective, what are some of the biggest challenges young people face when transitioning from education into employment, and how can organisations help bridge that gap?  

Somary Thuon: I’d point to three major challenges. First, many students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, though not only them, lack professional workplace experience, so they don’t fully understand what employers expect from them. Second, there’s often a mismatch between the academic knowledge students have and the skills employers actually need today; this is something we observe, and employers generally agree with us on it. Third, many young people simply lack confidence: the confidence that they belong in a professional environment. 

Our organisation helps by creating opportunities for mentoring, exposure to workplace culture, and practical projects that close that gap. 

Especially at their first job. But it’s not only about confidence; skills and confidence are both built over time. I think there’s a shared responsibility between universities, the private sector, and organisations like ours to work together to prepare students for employment. 

What role do you believe businesses can play in supporting students beyond the classroom, and how can partnerships create better opportunities for young Cambodians?  

Somary Thuon: Businesses are essential partners here. First, they understand better than anyone the skills that are needed today and the ones that will be needed tomorrow. Beyond financial support, companies can make a real difference by mentoring our students, offering internships, hosting workplace visits, or participating in career talks. This kind of engagement also helps us shape our training programs. 

At SkillUp Cambodia, we believe strong programs are built together with companies. When the two sides meet, students gain experience and employers benefit from a stronger talent pipeline. It’s a real synergy we’re looking for. 

Looking ahead, what are your ambitions for SkillUp Cambodia over the coming years, and what impact do you hope the organisation will have on Cambodia’s students, workforce, and broader economic development?  

Somary Thuon: Our ambition is to become one of the leading Cambodian organisations supporting university students from disadvantaged backgrounds. In the coming years, we hope to expand our programs, deepen our partnerships with universities and businesses, and develop a model that can be replicated across the country. Right now, we only operate in Phnom Penh, but we’d like to expand beyond that in the future. 

We measure our success not just by the number of students we train, but increasingly by their employment outcomes: whether they go on to become leaders in their communities and create opportunities for others. SkillUp wants to keep contributing to a more skilled, inclusive, and resilient workforce that supports Cambodia’s economy. I think that’s a nice vision for us to hold. 

We’re also actively looking to develop new partnerships with companies. If anyone in the community is interested in supporting us, through mentoring programs, internships, or sponsorship, we’d love to connect with them.