Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Shillong: Meghalaya is intensifying its efforts to foster economic growth at the grassroots level through a significant expansion of its skill development and entrepreneurship programs. Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma recently spearheaded the Skillerate 2026 event in Tura, which focuses on providing employment-linked training and livelihood opportunities to the state's youth.
The government is currently supporting 136 training partners and has recorded nearly 1.58 lakh program enrolments to date. To further bolster these efforts, the state is rolling out the PROPEL scheme, which will provide approximately 21,000 trainees with startup toolkits valued at nearly Rs 24 crore. During the Tura event, officials also distributed 34 work orders worth over Rs 16.59 crore and handed out 819 initial toolkits to local beneficiaries.
These initiatives follow a series of programs launched in Shillong earlier this month, including MEGASKILL, SHIELD, and EQUIP. Supported by a total investment exceeding Rs 50 crore, these projects aim to strengthen the regional skilling ecosystem. Over the past five years, more than 50,000 youth have undergone training in the state, with 30,000 securing certifications that led to formal jobs or self-employment.
Looking toward the future, the government plans to establish a College of Agriculture, Horticulture and Food Processing in East Garo Hills and a Veterinary College in Ri Bhoi. During the gathering, Chief Minister Sangma emphasized that sustainable economic progress requires collective participation from citizens and urged people to engage with government programs to address local needs.
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