For many graduates entering Nagaland’s job market, the gap between academic learning and employable skills continues to pose a serious challenge. An awareness and registration drive for the Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (PM-NAPS), held at Jubilee Memorial College, Mokokchung on January 29, aimed to address this issue by familiarising students and institutions with structured, industry-linked training opportunities.
Organised under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship with a focus on the Northeast, the programme aligns with the Centre’s “Ashta Lakshmi” and “Viksit Bharat, Viksit North East” vision. PM-NAPS seeks to create a steady pipeline of skilled manpower by promoting apprenticeships that emphasise hands-on learning and real workplace exposure, rather than limiting training to classroom instruction alone.
Speaking at the programme, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Mokokchung Atsungba Walling highlighted the urgency of skill development in a labour market increasingly influenced by automation and globalisation. “A traditional degree alone is no longer enough,” he said, urging students to bridge the divide between theoretical knowledge and practical application. Stressing that skills can open avenues beyond government employment, he described skill acquisition as a pathway to self-reliance. Drawing from Ao folklore, he added, “The bamboo that bends doesn’t break,” encouraging youth to remain adaptable in a changing employment landscape.
The programme also featured technical and policy-oriented sessions. Pravin Yadav, State Coordinator of the National Skill Development Corporation, explained the registration process for students and establishments on the official apprenticeship portal. Employment trends and opportunities within the State were outlined by Er H Alongse, Joint Director of the Department of Employment, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. Representatives from the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship, Guwahati, discussed convergence strategies and long-term apprenticeship frameworks for the region.
Moderated by Dr Chubaienla Imchen, Assistant Professor at Jubilee Memorial College, the event included screenings of PM-NAPS success stories and an interactive networking segment with Sector Skill Councils and Third-Party Aggregators. The session opened with an invocation by Counsellor Yimnayanger and concluded with a vote of thanks by Er Enchiba Longkumer, Principal of Government ITI Kohima.
