New era? Newly masonry-trained Naga youths join construction

•          New paradigm for local youths in construction sector
•          Laudable program sees score Naga youths in construction sector
•          28 absorbed by local construction group
•         Masonry no more a ‘non-Naga’ work 

To paraphrase Neil Armstrong: A small step for Naga youths; a giant step for Naga economy.

A development skill training that was conducted in Kohima recently could be the precursor to what could be a practical construction industry overseen by local skilled workers–masonry and construction.

A group of young Naga was trained in masonry and construction for three months in Kiruphema in the capital district as a part of skill building program. 28 of the youths have now been absorbed in the workforce of a local construction group, M/S Vilelie & Sons, for a month. 

The construction industry in Nagaland is entirely and decidedly dominated by non-local workers particularly Bangladeshi nationals. The recent training could well be a small step toward having a construction industry in Nagaland one day where Naga persons would work, manage, and man the lucrative sector.  

“More youths are now equipping themselves with skills in various sectors, enabling them to earn a livelihood,” the organizers informed on Saturday, June 27. The department of Under Developed Areas (DUDA), Government of Nagaland and a local group called Zynorique Initiatives ran the training for three months.

The training on masonry and building construction initiated under the BADP skill development program 2014-2015 through the Ministry of Home Affairs was organized by the department of Under Developed Areas of the state government with Zynorique Initiatives.

The organizers informed that the three-months training and absorption began with two months of practical work that was conducted in the Skill Training Resource Centre in Kiruphema under Kohima district. The training began from April 23 and culminated on June 23.

“The trainees were taught hands on instructions on RCC construction and theoretical training on estimation, project management and site supervision. 28 youths had enrolled for the training.

The trainees are now starting the succeeding one month live site training under M/S Vilelie & Sons,” the department said.

The organizers have appreciated M/S Vilelie & Sons for their support and agreeing to absorb the entire batch for a period of one month in their live site project and also offering employment to some to continue at the work site.

“Trained youths need to be given such kinds of opportunity so that, the workforce will be manned by locals in the days to come and the problem of unemployment and lack of avenues will be mitigated to a large extent,” the department said.

According to the organizers, the purpose of the training was to change the mindset of local youth “in terms of government job dependency” and more importantly, to promote the concept of dignity of labor.

“Producing highly skilled workers willing to work or be employed at competitive rates would surely boost the economy of the state and also diminish reliance on workers from outside for such jobs,” the elated organizers said. 

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