Nagaland LaunchPad Education: Building employability skills

April 15, 2023 42 Views No Comment

Morung Express News
Kohima | April 15

With aim to empower the youth by providing career guidance and build employability skills, YouthNet and the Department of Youth Resources and Sports has organised ‘LaunchPad Education and Career Fair 2023’ at the Capital Convention Centre, Kohima on April 14.

The LaunchPad Education is specifically designed for those students who recently appeared their HSSLC exam 2023. The Government of Nagaland identified LaunchPad under the State Innovation Scheme in 2021, and supports its continuation this academic year too, it was informed.

Gracing the programme as the guest of honour, Advisor, Industries & Commerce, Hekani Jakhalu stressed on the importance of mainstreaming attractive teaching and learning methods in all schools.

She lauded all the stakeholders for taking the big step of introducing innovative programs in improving the education system in Nagaland.

Jakhalu recalled how COVID helped the YouthNet to equip the students into online learning mode which prepared them to do things other than the conventional ways.

The students were advised not to ever look for shortcuts but to be sincere and committed. “If you want to be successful, hard work is the only option, and there’s no compromise on this and not negotiable as well,” Jakhalu stated.

She also urged the student to never stop learning adding “the more you learn, the more you grow.”

While pointing out that tough and hard way of life, she maintained that learning things will prepare them. “And the more prepared you are, the more you will easily adapt to the the tough life ahead of you,” she added.

Deputy Commissioner, Kohima, Shanavas C advised the students not to waste any more time but take maximum opportunities out of this programme.

‘You can get guidance today, but at the end of the day it’s you who only really matters’ he stated.

Observing the craze for government jobs in Nagaland, he viewed that many young educated and talented people have shut their dreams behind the doors and entered into government jobs and just spend 30-35 years without much interest but just drawing the salary on monthly basis.

Also noting that reluctance of going out of one’s comfort zone as one of the biggest disaster in the state, Shanavas said ‘When we are comfortable, we don’t take risk as we are just happy the way we are.’

However, he urged the students to get out of that adding ‘only when you are out of your comfort zone and take risk, you will be successful.’

Principal Director, School Education, Thavaseelan said unemployment is a ticking bomb in the state of Nagaland.

To this, he advised the students on the need to identify their interest and skill and pursue it accordingly.

He also stressed on the importance of continuous learning stating that it is not something which ends once you finishes college but a lifelong process.

‘The moment you start realising that, things start changing,’ he said.

Meanwhile, Jakhalu gave out the LaunchPad Best School award to GHSS Tseminyu, while MLA Dr Tsielhoutuo Rhutos presented the LaunchPad Best Teacher award to Rhonbeni Kikon of GHSS Jotsoma and Smart Phone to Chichan of GHSS Chukitong, Wokha.

It was informed that the LaunchPad programme will also award scholarships to selected students to pursue their graduation which will be fully sponsored.

Earlier, YouthNet director, Nuneseno Chase highlighted on the overview of the Launchpad and short speeches were delivered by Dr Tsielhoutuo Rhutso MLA, Akumla Chuba, Director, Dept. of Youth Resources and Sports.

LaunchPad, a Career Guidance and Employment Skills Development Programme was organised in partnership with YouthNet and supported by the Department of School.

The Fair is the last leg of the LaunchPad series which is being organized in Kohima. The next fair is scheduled to be held on April 15 at Tetso College, Sovima.

Altogether 35 colleges, Vocational Training Institutes (VTIs), Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), polytechnics and potential employers from various companies are expected to participate in the two-day fair.