New Delhi, Oct 22 (KNN) There is a need to establish a structured mechanism to provide a connect between education, skill development, training institutes and the employment opportunities in potential sectors at both central and state levels, said Dr Najma Heptulla, Governor of Manipur.

She was speaking at the Manipur State Conclave of National SC-ST hub organized under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in collaboration with the Forum of Scheduled Castes & Scheduled Tribes Legislators & Parliamentarians.

Addressing the gathering, Heptulla suggested establishing more intense workshop in Manipur to further motivate the educated young men and women of SC & ST in the field of skill development and entrepreneurship.

She said, “The major task of the government and the forum is to establish a structured mechanism to provide a connect between education, skill development, training institutes and the employment opportunities in potential sectors at both central and state levels.”

She said this is important and we must try to match the supply with demand while continuously creating further demand", Dr. Heptulla said.

Impressed to know that the forum is organizing such conclave in various States of North Eastern States to promote entrepreneurship for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes communities, she said that the North Eastern States of India have their unique requirements for skill-based training depending on the natural resources, industry and native trades.

The region is industrially backward and all the States perhaps with the exception of Assam are topographically disadvantaged to support big industries, she added.

To meet the aspirations of SC and ST youth through training under Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and enhance employability and employment, the government of these states has embarked on skill development mission.

She said that several training partners, academic institutions and vocational training centers are actively involved in a range of programs that enable livelihoods, increase productivity and income levels of SC and ST in these States particularly Manipur.

In addition, she pointed “Unemployment is one of the biggest challenges our young population is facing, more true in respect of the economically backward SCs & STs.”

She said that the objective of such skill development should not only be to make the youth eligible for employment but also equip them with the entrepreneurial competence so that they can open new avenues and become job givers instead of being preoccupied as job-seekers.

On the occasion, Governor also appreciated the Government of Manipur for creating various committees and sectors to create a stimulus in enabling the youth belonging to ST and SC to undergo skill education and training.

Further, sharing her views, she mentioned that organizations in the country should have special focus on the North East with the aim of training them in these sectors and giving them good employment and entrepreneurship ideas and in the process also help their assimilation in the national mainstream.