Sohra, Jan 23: The New campus of the Industrial Training Institute (ITI), Sohra under the Directorate of Employment & Craftsmen Training, Labour Department was inaugurated by Shri. Conrad K. Sangma, the Chief Minister of Meghalaya on the 22nd of January 2021 at Sohra. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Shri. Prestone Tynsong, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister in charge Labour, Shri. Balajied Kupar Synrem, MLA Shella Constituency, Shri. Gavin Miguel Mylliem, MLA Sohra Constituency.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister lauded the Department of Labour for working tirelessly to complete the new ITI campus at Sohra and many other such buildings throughout Meghalaya, which will go a long way in transforming the future of the youth and the younger generation of the State.
He highlighted that Meghalaya has roughly 12 lakhs youth population between the age of 15 years to 30 years, which comprises 31% of the State population and that it also has approximately over 50,000 individuals who enter the work force every year, which means that the State has to create 50,000 jobs every year. This, he says, is a very challenging task for the Government of Meghalaya, which is a young State with its own advantages and challenges.
However, Meghalaya has a young population with a young work force which could drive the growth engine of the State and the country as a whole. He stated that the challenge will be to channelize it in the right direction to create the infrastructure, environment and the ecosystem in a way that the youth will be able to be a force that will push the economy, the State and the country forward.
He pointed that the inauguration of the new ITI Campus at Sohra is a step forward in that direction. He informed that apart from these ITIs, the Government of Meghalaya also plans to come up with a policy to provide mandatory training and skill development to the youth. He further stated that, as per analysis, besides unemployment, un-employability is another issue which need to be tackled.
Therefore stressing on skill development is important in improving the employability of the youth. As a part of this programme, the Government will also be providing training facilities and opportunities to private sectors as well, which will have a key role in providing trainings to the youth of the State.
He concluded his address by emphasizing his believe that channelization of the youth is most probably the biggest challenge for any State or Country because if one gets it wrong it will be a very destructive force but if done right, it will be a very constructive force.
The ITI, Sohra campus was constructed under the project – Supporting Human Capital Development in Meghalaya. The total cost was Rs. 3.63 crore under ADB component and Rs. 95 lakh under the Enhancing Skill Development Infrastructure in NE States (ESDI). The ITI, Sohra was established in 2011.
It was functioning in a rented house with only one trade i.e. wireman. The ESDI scheme was implemented in 2017 along with the introduction of 3 new trades – Mason (Building Constructor), Office Assistant cum Computer Operator and General Painter.
The Construction of the new building under the ADB commenced in 2017 with the introduction of an additional trade – Catering & Hospitality along with a highly qualified Training Officer in 2018. The programme also saw a felicitation of the ITI Icons consisting of successful passed out trainees of ITI, Sohra.
On this day the government official who were present include Shri. D. P. Wahlang, IAS, Addl. Chief Secretary to the Govt. of Meghalaya, Shri. G. H. P. Raju., IPS, Principal Secretary, Labour department, Shri. Bhupesh Hajong, MCS, Director of Employment and Craftsmen Training, and a host of other dignitaries including government officials.
