Nagaland observed World Youth Skills Day 2026 with programmes promoting skills, innovation and entrepreneurship.
KOHIMA/DIMAPUR — Nagaland marked World Youth Skills Day 2026 with programmes in Kohima highlighting youth skill development, entrepreneurship, innovation, and vocational education.
Temjenmenba urges youths to acquire skills
Addressing the World Youth Skills Day programme organised by the Nagaland Skill and Entrepreneurship Development Mission (NSEDM), Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN), on the theme "Honouring skills and celebrating success" at the Capital Convention Centre on Wednesday, Advisor for Higher and Technical Education and Transport Temjenmenba said the state government has already approved the exploitation of mineral resources in Nagaland and is in consultation with the ministry.
He said that once mineral resource exploitation begins, it will create significant employment opportunities but will require a large number of skilled youths. He encouraged young people to prepare themselves by acquiring relevant skills and exploring future opportunities.
Temjenmenba said the government's focus is on skilling youths and that IDAN and NSEDM were established to address this important area. He observed that although about 90% of Naga youths are literate, many degree holders, including postgraduates and PhD holders, are finding it difficult to secure employment, making practical skills essential for earning a livelihood.
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He said the government sector is saturated and the state has to explore different avenues to ensure employment opportunities for youths in various sectors. He also noted that many subjects currently taught in schools, colleges, and universities could become obsolete over the next 10 to 20 years because of rapid technological changes.
As Advisor for Higher and Technical Education, he said his department is committed to providing alternative livelihood opportunities by focusing on skill development, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and computer chip making to prepare students for global employment opportunities.
He reminded youths that while the government can provide direction, success ultimately depends on their hard work, passion, and willingness to embrace challenges. He also encouraged NSEDM to engage more youths, equip them with employable skills, and enable them to work both within and outside the state and the country, contributing to economic growth and revenue generation.
Additional Secretary and Project Manager of NSEDM, IDAN, Vineet Kumar, said the purpose of observing the day was to renew the focus on skilling and entrepreneurship while celebrating the achievements of trained youths. He said it is an opportune time for young people to establish enterprises and develop skills that meet the demands of the economy.
He said NSEDM aims to provide employable skills and promote entrepreneurship. Since the launch of phase-wise training programmes last October, more than 3,500 youths have been trained, around 800 are undergoing training, and more than 1,000 have either become self-employed or secured jobs.
Earlier, Temjenmenba inaugurated the Japanese Learning Centre at NSEDM-IDAN. Training in the Japanese language for 50 students is scheduled to begin next week. During the programme, 15 successful youth entrepreneurs trained by NSEDM were felicitated, and beneficiaries shared their success stories.
Students showcase practical solutions
Meanwhile, Thinuovicha Memorial Government Higher Secondary School (TMGHSS), Kohima, observed the day by organising a student skill exhibition showcasing creativity, innovation, and practical competencies.
The programme was attended by officials from the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), Nagaland, Samagra Shiksha Nagaland, the Directorate of School Education, and Lend A Hand India, who visited the exhibition stalls, interacted with students, and appreciated their practical learning outcomes.
According to an update, Principal Kelhikha Kenye highlighted the importance of vocational education in equipping students with employable skills, promoting entrepreneurship, and encouraging lifelong learning. The principal encouraged students to continue developing innovation and creativity alongside their academic studies.
Students displayed projects including a sunlight-sensor street light, an automatic room light controller, an earthquake detector, a biogas plant, a drip irrigation system, a buzz wire game, a vegetable chopper, agricultural nursery displays, renewable energy models, electrical products, and homemade cookies, demonstrating the practical application of classroom learning and technical skills.