Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 516/12

NORTH EAST CAREER AND SKILLS EXPO 2012 HELD

Shillong, November 21, 2012: The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), in partnership with the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), is organizing 3 days Career and Skills Expo at All Saint’s Cathedral Hall, Shillong from 21st November 2012. This initiative is being supported by the Government of Meghalaya as well as the Ramesh Bawri Group.

Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. Rowell Lyngdoh while addressing the gathering as chief guest said that training for skill development is very important and necessary to cope up with the present situation. Lack of technical schools and courses are few reasons for less employment in the state, he added. In view of this, opportunities must be provided to the students so as to acquire required technical skills for the upcoming job market, said Mr. Lyngdoh.

W M S Pariat, Chief Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, said that this programme has arrived at the right time since the state’s employment potential is almost saturated. He also informed about the flagship programme of the government being implemented in the state with mission-mode to create opportunities, necessary environment and absorb large number of youth to participate in this meaningful livelihood promotion programme.

“Youth are vibrant and given the opportunity to sharpen the skills they will be successful in their endeavor”, said Mr. Pariat. He further stated that resources are available and we should be able to tap these resources and look forward to the management of skill sets and job opportunities of the present generation.

Principal Secretary, Labour and Employment, M S Rao, presented the dismal unemployment scenario in the state and urge the students to equip themselves with the available technical skills. He also advised the youth to register themselves in the Employment Exchange office. Mr Rao informed that about 173 new technical courses will be introduced in the state educational system which will be able to fill the gaps by providing employment opportunities and thereby decrease private sector jobs.

Ranjan Choudhury, Principal Programme Development, National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), Delhi spoke about the perspective of skill development with special emphasis to the state of Meghalaya. He mentioned about the basic fundamental change in policy level by introducing vocational system of education in schools from the present theoretical system. This programme which will be available all over the country to train the youth with required skills will enable them to take job anywhere in the country and abroad, said Mr. Choudhury.

Earlier in the function, Chris Cajee, member CII, NE Council, highlighted the key objective of the Expo which is to generate awareness about new job opportunities and the available skill sets, in order to help students and job seekers prepare themselves for the upcoming job market as the young population of the state looks forward to new opportunities in Handloom and Handicrafts, Horticulture, Food Processing, besides service based sectors such as IT, BPO, Media, Retail, Hospitality, Tourism and Health Care Management. Various organizations and institutions including the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), National Institute of Design (NID), School of Broadcasting and Communication, Flying Cats and Entrepreneurship Development Institute had set up stalls to disseminate information and guidance related to skill development and career options and opportunities. This is the second expo of CII being held in Shillong after successfully organizing it in Aizawl, Mizoram in May 2012.