TURA: Chief Minister of Meghalaya Mukul M Sangma launched the Skill Development Programme “Supporting Human Capital Development in Meghalaya” under the ADB assisted Project at SMELC Building in Tura on Friday. The programme was organised by Meghalaya State Skill Development Society (MSSDS), Shillong.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion the Chief Minister said that launching of skill development programme aims to empower individuals across the state with special focus to youth and women with the intention to create a pool of skill work force. The first of its kind in the country, the skill development program was one of the programmes being initiated by the Government to generate sustainable livelihood opportunities and is also one important component of supporting human capital development in the state, he added.
“We need to create opportunities for people in our own backyard so that they do not go outside the state and look for opportunities”, the Chief Minister said adding that migration of youth to other states for further studies and career related options is posing a threat to the matrilineal system in our society. He said that the skill development program was conceptualised so that the youth can avail exclusive skilled training based on due diligence by enhancing their skills and improving the employability in various sectors which will lead to self employment.
While urging the people to avail these opportunities provided by the government, Dr. Mukul Sangma said that this program will enable the people to be independent, productive and effective citizens of the state as well as contribute to the progress and prosperity of the state in particular and nation in general.
In his keynote address, Principal Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya and CEO, MSSDS, M S Rao highlighted the importance of the skill development programme in which the skill component of the project aims at providing quality skill training to 45,000 rural and urban youth, girls and boys, drop-outs including college students of 18 years of age or above who can choose a wide range of trades suited for wage and self employment. He also informed that the said project is 125 million dollar project and in the first phase the D B Tech Society will train about 7,000 youth of the state in different trades comprising of Beauty and Wellness, Hospitality, Information and Technology, Tourism, Health, Security amongst others with special focus on integrated farming.
V Harsha, Senior Project Officer, Indian Resident Mission, Asian Development Bank (ADB) while delivering his speech said that the project will focus on native skills and gifted individuals who will be given advanced skilled training according to their choice of trade and provide hand-holding support to become successful in their future endeavours.
Earlier in the program, the Chief Minister along with other dignitaries lighted the ceremonial lamp.
Minister for School Education and Literacy, Deborah Marak, MLA Tikrikkila Constituency, Limison Sangma, West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Pravin Bakshi etc were also present on the occasion.