Govt. agencies examine ways to augment skill resources

Dimapur, Oct. 15 (EMN): Speakers and observers at a skill development programme in Kohima are advising that entrepreneurship will not grow or progress no matter how many development policies are in place if the skills of the people are not developed first.
The government’s capacity building agency Skill India and the National Skill Development Corporation conducted a workshop aimed at ‘strengthening skill’ and entrepreneurship in Nagaland, on October 15 at De Oriental Grande Kohima.

The government publicity agency the department of Information and Public Relations (IPR) issued on Tuesday updates about the programme.

During the event, principal secretary for Industries & Commerce Lithrongla G Chishi said that the various policies of the government of India were not only to develop the Northeast region but to be at par with the rest of the country, the IPR reported.

‘Without skilling (sic) and entrepreneurship we cannot make any headway no matter how much polices exists,’ she said, and urged the participating departments to take the opportunity to ‘learn and take back something from the workshop’ to build capacity for the future generation.

The director for Employment, Skill Development& Entrepreneurship, Asangla Ao also said at the event that the workshop was the first of its kind in Nagaland. Through the skill development programs youths from the Northeast are being equipped with skills in various sectors, she said.

However, Ao said that the present skill development programmes have their limitations and challenges. She urged people to “understand the needs and aspirations of the youth and formulate feasible and realistic action to ensure that future skilled programmes are outcome driven and aligned to the youth aspiration,” the IPR reported.

Another official at the event, Nirod Chakravarty, said that the government’s vision is to improve the quality of life of the rural population, widen employment opportunities, and increase income of farmers for better livelihood. It seeks also to add value through agriculture processing and agriculture businesses, and exploiting the potential of organic farming.

Chakravarty emphasised on spreading awareness among the farming communities about various innovations and techniques, achieve efficient post-harvest management, test soil and engage modern methods of organic farming.
Chakravarty urged stakeholders to collaborate with the ASCI to facilitate development of training programmes through training providers. Training programmes can be conducted for suitable job roles in Nagaland, he said.

A representative of the North East Initiative Development Agency (Neida), Sentimongla Ao, gave a presentation concerning the outlook of key policies on skill and enterprise development in the state and how they address Nagaland’s youths, the IPR stated. She highlighted the approach to equipping people with skills in the urban and rural service sectors. The agency undertook a study to identify potential areas where uptake for services are guaranteed, and design the skill programme accordingly, the IPR reported.

Ao also emphasised on providing accessible support centre for youths and to address ‘the need for loans,’ information, business planning etc to provide a variety of learning opportunities and relevant tools to enhance youth ‘employability’ for work-integrated learning opportunities, internships and apprenticeships, the IPR reported. She suggested having an extracurricular programme on leadership and entrepreneurship in schools and colleges.

Officials from the Agriculture department gave views about promoting new age agriculture entrepreneurship by reinforcing traditional skills with modern technology. Likewise, the Horticulture department have perspectives on skill requirements in the agriculture sector for an environmentally, socially and economically sound society ‘today, tomorrow and forever,’ the IPR reported.

A perspective on employment trends in the tourism sector and others including absorption from traditional livelihoods was given by the Tourism department.

The Industries & Commerce department representatives gave perspectives about strengthening cooperation among the various stakeholders including through public-private partnerships, for research and development in the area of skills and entrepreneurship. The consideration is for priority sectors identified for Nagaland, and the needs of women, youth and marginalised populations, the IPR reported.

The Art and Culture department also gave a presentation about preserving arts and culture and the concept of brand. This was followed by Fisheries department’s presentation on our- dated fish and culture and branding in this modern world. Viewpoint to identify ways of strengthening public- private and networks of skill / entrepreneurship Centres across Nagaland confederation of India Industries Nagaland Unit.

Officials from the Veterinary & Animal Husbandry department gave a presentation on key livelihood skill requirements, processing, and skill development.

Officials of Emporium Skill Training Institute gave insights about market acquisition, and skill gaps and other topics including youth unemployment and migration.