SHILLONG, May 13: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Wednesday launched four flagship initiatives under ‘Skills Meghalaya’ to strengthen the state’s employment ecosystem and promote entrepreneurship among the youths.
Speaking at the ‘Skillerate 2026’ event held at North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), the chief minister stated that livelihood generation remains the government’s primary challenge, noting that nearly 50 per cent of the state’s population is below the age of 20, with approximately 60,000 youth entering the workforce annually.
The four new initiatives are designed to provide a comprehensive support system for the state’s workforce.
The PROPEL scheme will provide startup toolkits, mobility support, salary augmentation and industry linkages for trained youths, while MEGASKILL aims to prepare candidates for international skill competitions, including the 2028 WorldSkills Competition in Japan.
Additionally, the SHIELD initiative focuses on training and placement within the homecare services sector, and the EQUIP programme will promote inclusive skilling for persons with disabilities (PwDs) and other vulnerable groups.
During the event, Sangma informed that the government will distribute trade-specific toolkits to around 21,000 trainees under the PROPEL scheme, involving an expenditure of Rs 24 crore.
Highlighting the state’s progress, the chief minister noted that over 50,000 youths have been trained in the last five years, with 30,000 receiving certification.
He added that an investment of Rs 80 crore over the past three years has generated an estimated Rs 150 crore in earnings for trained individuals. Sangma also cited successful placements of local youths at JW Marriott Mumbai and the recruitment of nurses from Meghalaya in Japan following language training.
Nearly half of the programme’s funding is sourced through an externally aided project supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Meanwhile, Labour, Employment and Skill Development Minister Methodius Dkhar described the launch as a milestone in bridging the gap between training and actual employment.
Meghalaya State Skill Development Society (MSSDS) CEO Vijay Kumar D, on the other hand, said that Meghalaya’s skilling infrastructure has expanded significantly since 2021, with nearly 150 local training partners now operational.
The event included the distribution of work orders and startup toolkits to beneficiaries. It was attended by senior officials, entrepreneurs and trainees from various districts.
