Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma introduced four key skill development programs to enhance job opportunities for the state’s youth. The initiatives, unveiled at Skillerate 2026 in Shillong, include PROPEL, MEGASKILL, SHIELD, and EQUIP. PROPEL, with a budget of Rs 36 crore, aims to assist trained youth with startup toolkits, mobility aid, and industry connections, benefiting around 21,000 trainees. MEGASKILL focuses on preparing youth for skill competitions, including the WorldSkills Competition in Japan in 2028.
SHIELD emphasizes training, certification, and job support in homecare services, while EQUIP promotes inclusive skill development for the differently-abled and vulnerable groups. Chief Minister Sangma highlighted the challenge of creating sustainable livelihoods in Meghalaya, a young state where a significant portion of the population is below 20 years old. He emphasized the importance of state-specific skilling models and the role of projects supported by the Asian Development Bank in enhancing the skilling ecosystem.
Over the past five years, more than 50,000 youth have been trained in Meghalaya, with nearly 30,000 receiving certifications. The state government’s investment of approximately Rs 80 crore in the Meghalaya Skills Programme has led to an estimated Rs 150 crore in earnings for trained youth. Labour, Employment, and Skill Development Minister Methodius Dkhar hailed the launch of these initiatives as a significant milestone in Meghalaya’s skilling journey, demonstrating the government’s dedication to empowering the youth.
