Shillong, Nov 06: As part of its long-term preventive strategy against substance use, the Drug Reduction, Elimination & Action Mission (DREAM) organised an Outreach-cum-Deliberation Programme for graduates of the Industrial Training Institute (ITI), Shillong, with a focus on strengthening pathways from vocational education to meaningful employment and community participation.
The programme forms part of the DREAM Mission’s broader “Prevention with Action” approach under the DREAM-YOUNG Initiative, which seeks to move beyond conventional awareness-based approaches by addressing some of the underlying factors that can leave young people vulnerable to substance use and other harmful influences.
The approach recognises that prevention is not limited to telling young people what to avoid; it is also about creating opportunities, building capabilities and providing young people with a positive direction and a meaningful stake in their communities.
In this context, vocational and employability skills are viewed as an important component of long-term prevention. By helping young people translate their technical education into employment, entrepreneurship, further training and opportunities to contribute to society, the DREAM Mission seeks to strengthen their sense of purpose, independence and social connectedness. The objective is to develop a more sustainable preventive ecosystem in which skills, livelihood opportunities and constructive engagement become part of the larger framework of prevention.
In pursuant of the above objective, on 5th November 2026, the DREAM Mission held an intensive deliberation session with graduates from various trades from ITI Shillong, at the DREAM Conference Hall, Lower Lachaumiere, Shillong. The session provided an opportunity to understand the challenges faced by young graduates in transitioning from technical education to the workforce and to explore practical avenues through which they could be supported beyond their formal training.
A key area of discussion was the possibility of creating further opportunities for these graduates to utilise and strengthen their technical skills by being connected with vocational training and instructional opportunities within their communities, as well as with the proposed DREAM-YOUNG Skills Centre. Such opportunities could enable trained youth not only to pursue their own livelihoods but also to become facilitators and role models for other young people seeking skills and employment.
Around 100 participants attended the programme, leading to a constructive and interactive deliberation on the challenges, opportunities and possible mechanisms for supporting ITI graduates in their transition towards employment and productive engagement.
The discussions also highlighted the importance of building stronger linkages between technical institutions, government initiatives, communities and the emerging workforce, so that vocational education can translate into tangible opportunities.
The programme was chaired by the Mission Director, DREAM, Mr F.G. Kharshiing, and the Principal, ITI Shillong, Mr. Bonnie Sawkmie.
The deliberation marked an important step towards strengthening the “Prevention with Action” approach, where prevention is not treated as a single campaign or message, but as a long-term investment in young people.
By connecting skills with opportunity, education with livelihoods, and young people with meaningful roles in their communities, the DREAM Mission seeks to build a generation that is not merely protected from harmful influences, but is equipped, empowered and actively engaged in shaping a healthier and a Drug-Free Meghalaya.
