Kangpokpi: A transformative three-week skill development programme, aimed at empowering local communities including Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), has successfully concluded in Kangpokpi district.
Over 160 enthusiastic participants received practical training in high-demand trades such as electrical installation, baking, food processing, and mushroom cultivation, marking a significant step towards fostering self-reliance and addressing employment challenges in the region.
The intensive programme, a collaborative effort between the District Administration and the Mustard Seed Foundation (MSF), was hosted at Kanggui Christian College and culminated this week with a spirited closing ceremony.
Deputy Commissioner Mahesh Chaudhari, IAS, lauded the initiative’s direct impact, particularly in bridging the skill gap and generating employment opportunities for IDPs. He highlighted the hands-on approach of the training, citing that many of the electrical installations in his own office were proficiently executed by the trainees themselves, a testament to their acquired skills.
Chaudhari underscored the critical importance of public-private partnerships in driving such impactful initiatives. He made a fervent appeal for increased participation from civil society and private organisations in similar future endeavours. The Deputy Commissioner also assured robust government support in marketing the products developed by trainees in the food processing and baking sectors. He further urged MSF to facilitate the necessary FSSAI certifications and coordinate closely with the District Industry Office to streamline market access for these emerging entrepreneurs.
In a bid to bolster further growth and financial independence, Chaudhari, who also presides over the District Coordination Committee for bankers, committed to advocating for easier access to loans for the trained individuals under various relevant government schemes. He encouraged MSF to play a pivotal role in connecting these trainees with banks, thereby expediting their access to crucial financial support.
Certificates, officially issued under the Department of Trade, Commerce and Industries, were distributed to all participants during the concluding event, formally recognising their newly acquired skills. This recent programme is part of a series of dedicated training efforts by the District Administration aimed at equipping IDPs with marketable skills, building on the success of previous initiatives in tailoring, hospitality, and coaching that have already facilitated employment for numerous graduates in both government and private sectors.
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