The inaugural programme of the initiative titled Providing Access to Core Employability Skills (PACES), a seven-day training course comprising 50 instructional hours, was held at DB’s Hall, Atoizu, on Wednesday.
The initiative was organised by the Nagaland Department of Employment, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in collaboration with Pragatisheel Vision Foundation, with the objective of strengthening employability skills among local youth.
The programme began with an invocation by Kughashi Z, Women President of St. Peter’s Church, Atoizu.
Delivering the welcome address, Dr. Samuel Akho Konyak, NCS, Extra Assistant Commissioner, Atoizu, highlighted the growing challenge of unemployment. He stated that relying solely on a college degree is not sufficient to secure sustainable livelihoods in the state or the country. He emphasised the importance of acquiring practical skills for self-employment and for exploring opportunities in the private sector, including within Nagaland.
A brief overview of the training framework was presented by Chumbemo Jerret Patton, Managing Director of Pragatisheel Vision Foundation, who outlined the key components of the PACES initiative and expressed optimism about its potential to equip participants with essential workplace competencies.
Tozheli S, STL President, Atoizu, also addressed the gathering and encouraged youth to actively participate in such capacity-building programmes.