By Our Reporter
SHILLONG:Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services (IL&FS) India Ltd (education wing) has once again given a fresh impetus to the unemployed and underprivileged youth particularly drop-outs of the state by grooming them for a whole month before placing them in reputed companies in the hospitality industry across the country.
Altogether a group of 21 students belonging to the 3rd batch of the month-long skill training programme were felicitated at a valedictory function held at a rural training centre at Umroi Pyllun Village, Ri Bhoi on Tuesday. Of the 21 students, 18 have been picked up by Mainland China in Bangalore.
IL&FS Education is the social infrastructure initiative of IL&FS India. Established in 1997, their core competency is to promote the three E’s – Education, Employability, and Empowerment. IL&FS Education are experts in the fields of education, skill development, industrial cluster development, health initiatives, e-governance and financial inclusion.
It may be reminded that around 28 youth belonging to the 2nd batch of the programme were given the same opportunity and are now placed in reputed companies in hospitality industry at Delhi, Orissa and Guwahati.
“One month of skill training has taught me a lot. I have gained confidence and determination. This is an opportunity I could have never dreamt of. I can’t believe that I’m actually going to Bangalore and put into practice what I have learned in one whole month”, a 3rd Batch student chosen by Mainland China,Welbert Lyngdoh (19) from Mawlyngbna, Mawynsram told this scribe on Tuesday.
Another successful student, Shanbor Lyngdoh (19) also from Mawlyngbna village expressed his excitement over the recruitment process saying “Who would have imagined a drop out being able to go and work outside and that too at Mainland China. My family is supporting me and I’ll try to do my best to live up to the challenges that I’m likely to face.”
IL&FS Education have been engaged by the Community & Rural Development Department, Government of Meghalaya to impart skills to rural youth from BPL families and make them employable. IL&FS also ensures that some of the reputed companies in the hospitality industry come to the training campus to recruit the trained youth after putting them through a formal interview process.
Speaking at the function, Commissioner & Secretary C&RD Mr KN Kumar said the problem with Meghalaya’s youth who form roughly 25% of the population (7.5 lakhs) is not of unemployment but of unemployability due to lack of skills. Kumar said he has met several youth in the rural areas who have dropped out of high school and have no dreams or aspirations and were clueless about their future. “That’s when I realised we have to do something fast and aggressively,” Kumar observed.
Kumar however mentioned that with the number crossing 18,800 as set by the Government of India for the North East particularly for this programme, this work cannot be tackled only by the Ministry of Rural Development but the burden needs to be shared by the State government as per the central government’s norms.
He also mentioned that they are starting a training centre in West Khasi Hills and Garo Hills provided the state government is willing to fund the programme. At present there are plans to open up a centre at Daru Block, Garo Hills. “What is surprising is that even in a troubled area like Garo Hills, people still come forward to report for training.
This is encouraging as most of the youth will be geared up to build their careers,” Kumar said.
Additional Chief Secretary, BPO Warjri distributed certificates to the 21 students.