Meghalaya youth encouraged to compete globally on World Skills Day

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJuly 16, 2023

On World Skills Day, the youth of Meghalaya gathered at the State Central Library on Saturday, looking for inspiration from successful entrepreneurs trained in various skills like handloom weaving and food vending. The event aimed to motivate skill development trainees to embrace creativity and adapt to a competitive world.

Isawanda Laloo, Executive Director of PRIME Meghalaya, delivered a powerful message, urging the youth to chart new paths and compete globally, rather than confining themselves to local competition. Laloo emphasized the interconnectedness of the globalized world, urging the youth to remain vigilant about the opportunities surrounding them and seize them through their efforts.

Highlighting that 30 percent of the state’s population is under the age of 29, Laloo emphasized the significance of the State Youth Policy, released in 2021, which provides a comprehensive framework for equipping young individuals with the necessary skills for the job market and the challenges they may face in life.

Acknowledging the saturation of government jobs, Laloo encouraged the youth to shift their focus to high-value sectors, citing the agriculture and allied industries, where 70 percent of the population engages in diverse agricultural activities. Concerned about rural-to-urban migration, she stressed the importance of establishing an ecosystem that supports scaling, processing, aggregation, marketing linkages, and other facilities. Such efforts would leverage the potential of these sectors and retain young talent within the state.

Expressing PRIME Meghalaya’s vision to incubate young innovators, Laloo expressed confidence in skilled individuals who can become job creators rather than mere job seekers. Encouraging the youth to think outside the box, she highlighted untapped sectors like food processing, garment making, sericulture, weaving, and agriculture, where they can explore and showcase their talents.

Addressing those who return to the state after working in prestigious companies elsewhere, Laloo urged them to step out of their comfort zones and prioritize courage over comfort.

Adding entertainment to the event, popular performers Chi-Iung delighted the audience and reinforced the importance of skill development with dialogues from Kong Thrash, emphasizing that knowledge without skills is merely information and that a degree without skills is like a pen without ink.