ISF’s Employment Programme provides pathways out of poverty

Waving goodbye to her coworkers, Dara joins the swarm of workers headed home for the day. Growing up, she recalls her family scavenging for food in the nearby sewage system. Now a Sales Officer at an international finance company in Phnom Penh, Dara is proud to share with our team that she’s finally accrued enough savings to support herself financially. 

Dara joined ISF’s Education Programme in 2008. After failing her high school exam, ISF’s Employment Programme stepped in and offered her the support and guidance to pursue her associate degree in Business Management. Realising she lacked professional experience but possessed motivation and drive, the Employment team offered her an internal three-month administrative internship – providing real-world experience and jump-starting her career. 

ISF’s Employment Programme is committed to supporting our students in finding gainful employment. As part of that commitment, the team has built a robust soft-skills programme, established partnerships with NGOs focused on vocational training, and offers career counselling, advice, and support. 

Chon Chamnan, ISF’s Head of Employment Programme shares, “The Employment Programme is… important for making sure that our students can break the cycle of poverty. We provide whatever possible – career counselling, goal setting, life skills training, higher education, vocational training, on the job training, internships, and job placements – to make sure that all ISF students can achieve their dreams in their lives and attain a decent job within their capability.” 

Although Cambodia has low unemployment rates, recorded at 0.3% in 2017 (CIA), the country has high underemployment – meaning employees work in low-paying or low-skilled jobs. However, many of Cambodia’s workers have informal and irregular employment, influencing the low unemployment statistics and earning much less than the country’s minimum wage of $194. With a high cost of living, our students need to obtain stable employment with higher wages if they want to break the cycle of poverty. 

Uneducated Cambodian youth can earn as little as $100 a month, but struggling financially, Viseth’s family depended on him to help supplement their income. After dropping out of school at Grade 7, ISF’s Employment Programme worked with Viseth to enrol him in vocational training, advocating for a higher salary through proper training. With the team’s support, Viseth trained as a hairdresser in Kampong Cham Province, where his skill set now earns him upwards of $400 a month, double the average minimum wage for Cambodians. 

Since its foundation in 2011, ISF’s Employment Programme has helped 55 students find gainful employment. With 61 students currently enrolled, our team is eager to see our students’ perseverance and drive. Through the team’s guidance and mentorship, ISF students like Dara and Viseth have been able to redirect the course of their lives – breaking down barriers and escaping the vicious cycle of poverty.

*Names have been changed to protect privacy.