Kohima: Nagaland Chief Minister T R Zeliang on Saturday said the literacy rate of Nagaland is amongst the highest in the country, higher than the National average, however a new dimension of problem has been brought about in relation to educated unemployed.
Inaugurating the Job & Career Fair 2015 organised by the Department of Employment and Craftsmen Training of Nagaland, in collaboration with Youthnet at the Supermarket Complex, Dimapur on Saturday morning.
M Zeliang reiterated that after 50 Years of Statehood Nagaland has made a great strides in various fields which has translated in positive human development particularly in the health and education sector.
He said the government has put in efforts to employ them beyond Government Sectors as well as to tap the potential of the Job market both within and outside the state by organising such an event.
Mr Zeliang said despite the state having one of the highest employees to population ratio and 60 per cent of the total expenditure is spend on salaries and pension we still have a large number of unemployed youth.
Zeliang stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has come out with an ambitious plan to make India into Skilled India with emphasis on skill development.
The target of the national skill development policy is to skill 500 Million Indians including the youth by 2022 to enable them to be driving forces of economic growth and social development.
He spoke specifically about the need for our youth to develop skills for basic construction works in our state which presently are mostly done by Non-locals.
By undertaking such jobs it will not only open up more employment opportunities and avenues but also safeguard our culture, identity and also protect ourself from the dangers of economic and social assimilation by Non-Tribal.
He further stressed on the need to bridge the gap between educational institutions and the job market to produce employable educated youth suited to the needs of the industry and job providers.
Skill based training institute and vocational training need to be imparted in schools and colleges to teach and equip our students.
To acquire the relevant skills to be part of skilled work force pool to combat unemployment to promote growth.
He also called on unemployed youth to make use of such an opportunity.
The programmed was chaired by Commissioner and Secretary for Planning, Coordination and Labour and Employment Mhonbemo Patton. The programme was attended by Minister for Rural Development C L John, Parliamentary Secretaries, MLAs and Dimapur Police Commissioner Liremo Lotha.
Students from various schools, institutes and educated unemployed youth also attended the programme. (UNI)
