Cambodia's career fair attracts thousands of job hunters

The fourth edition of Cambodian career fair kicked off here on Tuesday, drawing attention from thousands of university students and graduates on the first day.
Speaking at the opening of the two-day event at the Diamond Island Exhibition Centre, Labour Secretary of State Pich Sophoan said 65 private companies, universities and non-governmental organizations with 100 booths have attended the fair in order to seek qualified employees. "The event is a good opportunity for employers to recruit their future staff and for students and fresh graduates to seek jobs with their majors,"he said. "It is also a chance for students and graduates to increase their knowledge of the labour situation and to present themselves to companies which need labour forces."
The official said in the past five years, the government had worked actively to attract foreign and local investors and created more than 1 million jobs for Cambodian people -- over 60 percent of them are in garment and footwear sector.
Carmela Torres, senior specialist on skills and employability at the International Labour Organization, said the event is very important for job seekers, who will be able to access to full information of job requirements and get interview opportunities.
A banking and finance student at the National Institute of Business said the event provided her an opportunity to seek a job. "I am specialized in banking and finance, so I come here to see if any position is suitable for me,"Keng Sreymon said. "The fair is really a good venue for job hunters because a lot of jobs in various sectors are available."
It is expected that the fair will attract about 30,000 visitors.
According to the Labour Ministry, Cambodia has a total labour force of approximately 7.4 million, and every year, about 200,000 young people have reached the age deemed old enough to enter labour market.