First logistics training centre of its kind in Northeast opens as Dimapur strengthens its role as gateway to Southeast Asia
The Centre of Logistics Training for Excellence (COLTE) was inaugurated at the Nagaland Integrated Hub for Skills, Kushibill, Dimapur, on September 11 to strengthen logistics-sector skill development and expand training opportunities for youth in Nagaland.
Deputy Chief Minister of Nagaland, Planning & Transformation and National Highways, T R Zeliang, formally inaugurated the centre. Speaking as the chief guest, Zeliang said the centre marked an important step towards connecting Naga youth with one of the country’s fastest-growing industries.
He said Dimapur, as Nagaland’s commercial hub and a major gateway by road, rail and air, was gaining further importance as a gateway to Southeast Asia under the Centre’s Act East Policy.
Highlighting the State’s unemployment situation, Zeliang said more than 71,000 people were registered as unemployed with Employment Exchanges, while the actual number could be higher. He noted that 92 per cent of registered unemployed persons lacked formal technical or vocational training.
Zeliang said India’s logistics and supply-chain sector was expected to grow rapidly and that proper training could enable Naga youth to benefit from emerging opportunities. He expressed confidence that the Logistics Sector Skill Council (LSC), Redington Foundation and Zipaworld Innovation would provide industry-oriented training, national certification and improved employment prospects.
Welcoming COLTE as the first centre of its kind in Nagaland and the Northeast, he said skill development should eventually reach other districts so that opportunities were not confined to Dimapur. He thanked the Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Department and Advisor Moatoshi Longkumer for their efforts and said the centre could serve as a launchpad for a generation of skilled and employed Naga youth.
Advisor for Labour, Employment & Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Excise, Moatoshi Longkumer, said COLTE had the potential to become an important bridge between young people and the growing requirements of the logistics industry.
He said the centre would offer upskilling and reskilling, industry visits, practical training, training-of-trainers, placement facilitation and specialised programmes based on industry requirements. He noted the growing demand for skilled manpower in transportation, warehousing, supply-chain management and distribution.
Longkumer stressed that training must translate into meaningful employment and called for continued engagement with employers and regular monitoring of outcomes. He also urged youth to look beyond government employment, noting that the State government could not provide government jobs to everyone due to financial constraints.
He acknowledged the contributions of CII Nagaland, Redington Foundation and LSC, and said COLTE’s responsibilities extended beyond classroom training to building industry linkages and ensuring effective placement.
K V Mahidhar, Board Member, LSC, said rapid infrastructure development in India was creating significant opportunities for the logistics sector. He highlighted the importance of logistics policies, integrated planning and digital technology, and said India had improved its global logistics ranking from above 50 to the 30s.
Describing the Northeast as India’s gateway to Southeast Asia, Mahidhar said COLTE would provide practical training in warehousing, inventory, transport operations and logistics technology. He urged youth to acquire digital skills and industry-recognised certifications, and to aim not only to secure jobs but also to create them.
B Ramaratnam, Independent Director, Redington Limited, said the centre was the result of a public-private partnership involving the Government of Nagaland, Redington Foundation, LSC and CII Institute of Logistics. He said COLTE Nagaland had been designed based on experiences from Chennai and Hyderabad while addressing the specific needs of the Northeast.
Ramaratnam said the centre aimed to train around 400 unemployed youth from economically weaker sections annually, with at least 20 per cent participation from women and girls. Placement opportunities with starting salaries of around Rs 2 lakh to Rs 3 lakh per annum are expected.
An MoU was also exchanged between LSC and Zipaworld Innovation Pvt Ltd for international placements.
The programme began with a dedicatory prayer by Rev C Lima, followed by the inauguration and a guided tour of the facilities led by Ravi Yamarthy, CEO, LSC. Yamarthy also delivered the welcome address.
The programme concluded with closing remarks by Commissioner & Secretary, Labour & Employment, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Robert Longchari.
(With DIPR inputs)
