Shillong, April 26: The Employability Accelerator Programme, a joint initiative of UNIQLO India Private Limited and Avenues Meghalaya aimed at expanding employment opportunities and improving job readiness for youth, marked the successful completion of its inaugural batches with a certification event held in Shillong on Wednesday, April 22.
Over 160 training participants including college-going and unemployed youth, and representing different communities of the Northeast region, were certified after completing an intensive 80-hour training programme focused on workplace readiness and employability, completely sponsored by UNIQLO.
Counted amongst the world’s top three fashion brands, UNIQLO Japan has an extensive presence across the world and has significantly stepped up operations in India with multiple flagship stores across metropolitan cities with an eye on aggressive growth in the years ahead in the subcontinent.
The event, held at Courtyard by Marriott, Shillong, brought together senior leadership from UNIQLO India, academic institutions, and Avenues as the Training, Knowledge and Curriculum Partner, reflecting a growing collaboration between industry and the education ecosystem.
The initiative comes at a time when India continues to face a significant employability challenge. According to national employability reports such as the India Skills Report, only around 45–50% of graduates in India are considered job-ready.
In the North East, this gap is often more pronounced due to limited industry exposure, fewer structured placement pathways, and lack of access to practical, workplace-oriented training, despite the region’s strong base of educated youth.
The Employability Accelerator Programme has been designed as a response to this gap, creating a structured pathway from education to employment. Delivered over 80 hours since early March, the programme focused on building core skills such as communication, confidence, professional behaviour, teamwork, and interview readiness through practical, activity-based learning.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Guest Wailadmiki Shylla, Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs and Health & Family Welfare, Government of Meghalaya, emphasised the importance of discipline and mastery in today’s workforce. “Today, skill alone is not enough.
What is needed is mastery, discipline, and continuous learning. If you look at countries like Japan, their strength comes from their work ethic, punctuality, and commitment.
These are the qualities our youth must learn and practise,” he said. He further highlighted the state government’s consistent efforts in providing platforms and opportunities for youth in skilling, entrepreneurship and music programmes such as SKILLS Meghalaya, PRIME Meghalaya and Meghalaya Grassroots Music Program.
Padma Shri Manas Chaudhuri, former Education Minister and Guest of Honour, echoed this sentiment, drawing from Japan’s development model. “What we see in countries like Japan is discipline, integrity, and a deep sense of responsibility towards work. These values are built over time. Our young people must learn to take ownership, pay attention to detail, and approach their work with sincerity,” he said.
Kenji Inoue, COO & CFO, UNIQLO India, provided deeper insight into the philosophy behind the initiative. “We believe business is not only about selling products, but also about contributing to society. This programme is one way we can support young people and help them build their future,” he said.
He further emphasised the importance of mindset and continuous improvement. “Today is not the end, it is the starting point. This programme is just a trigger. What matters is how you use what you have learned. Keep improving, keep learning, and always challenge yourself to grow.”
Highlighting UNIQLO’s global approach, he added, “At UNIQLO, we focus on continuous improvement and strong fundamentals. Skills can be learned, but attitude, discipline, and willingness to grow are what make the difference in the long run.”
Kaneko Yuichiro, COO, UNIQLO India, connected the initiative to the organisation’s long-term vision in India. “We want to grow together with local communities. Our aim is not only to expand our business, but also to contribute to society by creating opportunities and building people who can succeed anywhere,” he said, emphasising the importance of building globally capable talent grounded in strong values.
The belief in the potential of North East youth and their alignment with such values was a key driver for UNIQLO India’s involvement in the initiative. Kamalika Deka, General Manager – HR, UNIQLO India, said, “The North East is a place full of potential.
Shillong, especially, has a strong base of educated youth. What we realised is that while the talent is there, there is a gap in connecting them to opportunities. This programme is an effort to bridge that gap.”
Kanta Nagasaki, Manager – HR, UNIQLO India, added, “We have seen many employees from the North East perform very well in our organisation. They bring a positive attitude, strong discipline, and the ability to adapt to our work culture. That gave us confidence to invest more in this region.”
Raj Kharmih, General Manager, Avenues and Project Head, highlighted the programme’s role in bridging a critical gap. “There is a gap between education and employment, and that is what this programme is trying to address. Over the past few weeks, we have seen real change in how participants speak, present themselves, and approach opportunities,” he said.
The most compelling reflection of this transformation came from the trainees. Bokalu Yeptho, a participant from Nagaland, said, “Before this programme, I was nervous to speak in front of people. Through the sessions and activities, I gained confidence and learned how to communicate better. It has prepared me to face real-world challenges.”
Tanisha Kharbangar shared, “I learned that communication is not just about speaking, but about making sure the other person understands you clearly. This programme helped me build that clarity and confidence.”
Naira Khanam Ahmed from St. Edmund’s College added, “I joined to improve my resume, but I gained much more. I learned how to present myself, adapt my communication, and prepare for interviews. It has made me feel ready for real opportunities.”
The event also showcased the cultural richness of the region, with participants presenting a folk song and a fusion of tribal dance forms representing diverse communities across the North East.
The 80-hour programme saw participation and representation from states across Northeast India such Mizoram, Manipur, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Tripura, and Assam.
The colleges that participated included Women’s College, Shillong; MIT University, Shillong; Lady Keane College, Shillong; St. Edmund’s College, Shillong; and Shillong College, Shillong.
By combining UNIQLO India’s industry perspective with Avenues Meghalaya’s regional expertise, the Employability Accelerator establishes a scalable model for youth employability.
As the inaugural batches step forward, the programme marks not just the completion of training, but the beginning of a larger effort to build confident, capable, and future-ready professionals from the North East.
Also present at the event were Daphishisha Kharhujon, CEO, Avenues, Jasmine P. S. Laitphlang, Managing Director, Avenues, and their team members. The event concluded with the distribution of certificates, marking a significant milestone in the journey of the participants as they prepare to enter the world of work.
