Tura, July 8: Meghalaya government is mulling an ambitious skill development course in the three state run polytechnic institutions, which will train 7500 students from Meghalaya and other North East states.
He said that the existing polytechnic institution in Shillong, Tura and Jowai will be upgraded as “Centre for Excellence”. The centre will be set up at a cost of Rs. 500 crore, of which state will investment 10 per cent and the rest will be invested by multi-national companies.
“Investors have assured to work with the state government to set up the centre for excellence”, he said. In each of the three polytechnic institutes, a total 2500 students will be admitted from across the North Eastern states.
“Courses will be designed in such a manner, which can fill in the job space available by harping on the potential youth energy. It will be attractive not only for the students of Meghalaya but for other North East states, who would be keen to take up the courses”, said Sangma.
China is rapidly getting older. Three decades ago, only 5 percent of the population was over 65; today, 123 million people, or 9 percent of the population, are over this age. A report released by a government think tank forecasts that China will become the world’s most aged society in 2030. Further, by 2050 China’s older population will likely swell to 330 million, or a quarter of its total population.
Addressing a gathering comprising of young students at Tura, he said, “China’s aging population has posed a threat for the economic giant and India has to take the opportunity to woo investment in different sectors like textile, construction and manufacturing”.
Making a blunt remark that China’s aging population is set to affect the economic performance vis-a-vis provide scope for others, he said, “Meghalaya and North East can fill in the gap, which will open a new vista for growth and job opportunities. We need to take advantage of the situation in China and create workforce, which will attract investors to look beyond Delhi and Mumbai, when they think of India”.
Focusing on the trends, which indicate that there will be a drop in the productive labour force in China by 2020, he said “India under its National Skill Development Council headed by prime minister and chief minister at the state level has the mandate to prepare the required qualified workforce and Meghalaya has been working towards this end”.
He stressed in saying that government of Meghalaya is looking at all categories of youth in view of the job space.
“Investment in bound to happen as Meghalaya will have the workforce, skilled labour and land available for setting up of an industry or a manufacturing unit”, he said.
Sangma has already made it clear that the government is working with different agencies to bring in investment in textile, automobile manufacturing, etc.
In the sidelines of his three day tour to Garo hills, said “International auto mobile giants and branded apparel companies have expressed their willingness to set up their units in Garo hills”. (SP News)
