30 Entrepreneurship Development Centres and 4 Incubation Centres launched at Conclave in IIM Shillong

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaOctober 1, 2024

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) successfully hosted the “Northeast Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Conclave 2024” at IIM Shillong on October 1. This event marks a significant step in advancing entrepreneurship and skill development across the northeastern region of India. Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State, Ministry of Education, Govt of India, was the Chief Guest, along with key leaders from northeastern states, industry experts, and academicians who engaged in discussions aimed at strengthening the region and unlocking new opportunities.

The conclave focused on enhancing regional cooperation by aligning state-level initiatives with the Ministry’s vision for a robust entrepreneurship and skills ecosystem. Discussions revolved around leveraging the potential of the region’s youth through innovative skill development and entrepreneurship strategies, with the aim of fostering sustainable economic growth in the Northeast.

Ministers shared best practices from their respective states and emphasized the importance of creating a tailored skill development framework that aligns with the region’s unique cultural and economic needs. Key discussions highlighted ITI upgradation, strategic funding, and the adoption of a more rigorous selection process for instructors to maintain high training standards. Additionally, the need to align local craftsmanship, such as wood carving, bamboo craftsmanship, and carpet weaving, with emerging market demands was stressed.

In his address, Jayant Chaudhary highlighted the significance of this initiative, noting the resurgence of the North-Eastern States as a key contributor to India’s growth. He stated, “Our North-Eastern States have experienced a revival, reclaiming their prominence over the past decade. The ‘Act Fast for North East and Act First for North East’ policy has helped the region contribute significantly to various sectors. With improved connectivity and a growing pool of educated youth, the region is seeing double-digit growth, crucial for India’s Five Trillion economy goal.”

He further emphasized the importance of long-term thinking and cooperative federalism, saying, “Every state faces unique challenges shaped by demographics and geography, but what stands out is the shared passion for skilling as a common agenda. We are thinking strategically, with a unified vision for India 2047.”

The event also launched a landmark initiative to establish 30 Entrepreneurship Development Centers (EDCs) and four Incubation Centers (ICs) across the northeastern states. This initiative aims to empower youth by fostering entrepreneurial skills through 30 EDCs and four ICs, combining hard interventions like infrastructure with soft interventions like 90 entrepreneurship awareness programs and 90 development programs, among others, to inspire innovation. The goal is to create 900 startups across the region.

Additionally, 600 mentors will be trained, and higher educational institutions (HEIs) will receive necessary infrastructure support. Progress has already been made, with center heads trained at the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE) and functional EDCs established. Youth will also compete for spots in incubation programs, with 50 incubatees receiving seed grants of Rs 5 lakhs.

Under the Skill India Mission, the MSDE has made significant strides in promoting skilling in the North-Eastern Region (NER). Since 2015, over 13.40 lakh candidates have been trained under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), with Rs 857.84 crore allocated to NER states. The Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) initiative has skilled 1.24 lakh candidates since 2018, backed by Rs 37.26 crore under the NER head. Furthermore, 1,015 establishments have engaged 43,820 apprentices under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS). Additionally, 73,487 candidates have been enrolled in 110 ITIs across the region since FY 2014-15, with 48,870 Vishwakarmas trained under PM Vishwakarma. 

To strengthen the skilling ecosystem in the NER, Rs 43.13 crore has been released, supporting various initiatives including PM-JANMAN, PM Daksh, and SFURTI, alongside the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Upgradation of ITIs. Additionally, Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) has been designed to synergize and transform the skills, employment, and entrepreneurship landscape, empowering the youth across the NER to contribute to the nation’s economic growth.

The conclave was graced by several dignitaries, including Nyato Dukam, Minister, Commerce & Industries, Labour & Employment, Information, Public Relations & Printing, Govt of Arunachal Pradesh, and Jayanta Mallabaruah, Minister for Public Health Engineering, Skill, Employment & Entrepreneurship and Tourism Departments, Govt of Assam. 

Also present were Shakliar Warjri, Minister, Sports and Youth Affairs and Labour Registrations and Stamps, Govt of Meghalaya, Lalnghinglova Hmar, Minister of State, Labour, Employment, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Sports and Youth Services, Excise and Narcotics Department, Govt of Mizoram, and Maotoshi Longkumer, MLA and Advisor, Labour & Employment, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, & Excise Department, Govt of Nagaland. Furthermore, Madan Cinturi, MLA and Advisor to the Government of Sikkim, Skill Development Department, and Shreeshail Malge, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Govt of India, along with Prof DP Goyal, Director of IIM Shillong.

In conclusion, the Northeast Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Conclave 2024 set the stage for a new chapter in the region’s journey toward self-reliance and growth. The event demonstrated the government and stakeholders’ commitment to building a vibrant ecosystem that fosters innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development in the northeastern region of India.