The Department of Employment, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (DES&D) conducted the valedictory programme of a seven-day basic steel fabrication training under the PACES - Providing Access to Core Employability Skills initiative at Community Hall, Wokha Village, on 7th April 2026, MLA Y. Mhonbemo Humtsoe attended the programme as the special guest.
The training, aimed at equipping local youth with practical, income-generating skills to promote self-employment and small-scale enterprises, saw the participation of 25 trainees from Humtso, Elumyo, and Wokha Village. Addressing the gathering, MLA, Humtsoe urged the trainees to embrace teamwork and collective growth, stressing that reliance on government jobs is no longer sustainable due to saturation in the sector. He encouraged the youth to explore skill-based livelihoods with confidence and dignity, and to be innovative, disciplined, and committed in applying the skills they had acquired. He further advised them to start small but remain consistent, expressing hope that they would not only become self-reliant but also create employment opportunities for others. Humtsoe also appealed to counsellors and officials to identify genuinely interested unemployed youth who are unable to access such training programmes, assuring his support wherever possible.
Speaking on behalf of the training partner, CEO of Zynorique Initiative Society, Richard Belho, noted that the programme was initiated through the MLA’s efforts and was part of a limited training for 100 participants. He highlighted the income potential in the construction sector and urged trainees to make effective use of the opportunity, adding that advanced-level training with improved machinery could follow.
Additional Director (DES&D), Zubemo Lotha Tsanglao, said Nagaland received 100 training slots across four districts. He explained that the mobile skill morung concept was an initiative of the department and had received appreciation at the national level. He commended the trainees, noting that the lone female participant performed exceptionally well with innovative ideas.
Trainees described the programme as insightful, stating that the hands-on training helped them gain practical knowledge and confidence in using tools. The lone female trainee shared that although she initially found steel fabrication challenging, the training helped her realize that patience and attentiveness are key to mastering the skill.
The programme concluded with the distribution of tools and certificates to the trainees.
(DPRO & IA, Wokha)
