The Inspiring Journey of Dara: From Migrant Worker to Skilled Engineer

Only in the 11th grade, Dara had already worked as a construction worker and a security guard. Not long after, he applied for a job in Thailand where he worked in a chicken and seafood factory. Here, he experienced challenges such as language barriers, age and racial discrimination, and inferiority. 

Despite this, Dara was determined to perform his tasks well. He worked tirelessly, studied Thai on his own, and braved the criticism daily. After five years, Dara returned to Cambodia with the intention of renewing his passport until a new employment opportunity came that paid better than his job in Thailand. 

With the support of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Dara was able to complete a 4-month technical and vocational training in air conditioner servicing at the National Polytechnic Institute of Angkor (NPIA). After this accreditation, Dara has found stable employment at the Temple Group as an engineer. Alongside this, Dara is pursuing his technical and vocational training levels 2 and 3 at NPIA.

Dara says, “I recommend for other [returning migrants] to go back to school and learn technical skills that can be used to earn a living. Like the Khmer proverb goes, “If you are not intelligent, you should acquire skills.” Being an expert in something enables you to earn a living and have a stable income. Nowadays, companies prioritize people with certificates over those who only have experience. If you only have experiences and no certificate, you might get paid less.”

In the future, Dara wants to open his own mechanical shop that provides maintenance services and sells spare parts. According to Dara, he contributed to the Thai economy when he was in Thailand. Upon return to Cambodia, he can already contribute to his own country using his acquired expertise. Dara recognizes that everyone’s contribution both big and small can significantly contribute to Cambodian economy.

With skills development and recognition, migrant workers like Dara can harness the potential of migration to drive sustainable development and improve the lives of many.