SHILLONG : The Government of Meghalaya is set to host Skillerate 2026, a massive youth empowerment and employment summit, tomorrow, May 13, at the North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) campus. Organized by the Meghalaya State Skills Development Society (MSSDS), the event marks a significant milestone in the state’s mission to transform its young population into a skilled global workforce.
The event will be headlined by Chief Minister Shri Conrad K. Sangma and Labour Minister Shri Methodius Dkhar.
Meghalaya’s Youth Bulge: Driving the Mission
With nearly 74% of Meghalaya’s population under the age of 35, the state government has prioritized skill development as a cornerstone of its economic policy. Under the flagship Skills Meghalaya initiative, the state has already achieved significant milestones:
- 60,000 individuals trained across 11 districts.
- 12,900+ total jobs created through training-linked interventions.
- 10,300 youth successfully transitioned into self-employment.
- 2,800+ direct job placements secured.
Global Reach: The Overseas Placement Initiative
Meghalaya is successfully carving a niche in the international labor market. Through the Overseas Placement Initiative, 66 nurses have been placed in healthcare roles abroad. Currently, 37 of these professionals are sending home remittances averaging ₹80,000 per month, significantly boosting the local economy.
New Initiatives to be Launched at Skillerate 2026
The summit will serve as a launchpad for four new high-impact programs designed to bridge the gap between training and sustainable livelihoods:
- PROPEL: A dedicated post-training support framework.
- MEGASKILL: A pathway for local talent to compete in global skill competitions.
- SHIELD: Focused on certification, placement, and welfare support for workers.
- EQUIP: An inclusive skilling program tailored for vulnerable and marginalized groups.
Furthermore, the government will distribute work orders under the “Skills Meghalaya” project and provide “Startup Tools” to budding entrepreneurs during the session.
Future Outlook
Building on the success of the Chief Minister’s Skilling Mission launched in 2025—which has already trained 30,000 youth—the government has set an ambitious target to train an additional 70,000 youth by 2028.