Shillong, April 26: Global apparel major UNIQLO’s India arm has partnered with Avenues Meghalaya to boost employability among Northeast youth, with over 160 participants completing an intensive training programme aimed at bridging the region’s job-readiness gap.
The initiative, titled the Employability Accelerator Programme, concluded its inaugural batches with a certification ceremony held at a hotel on April 22. The programme brought together college students and unemployed youth from across Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh.
Fully sponsored by UNIQLO India, the 80-hour training—conducted since early March—focused on practical workplace skills such as communication, teamwork, professional behaviour, and interview readiness through activity-based learning modules.
The programme comes against the backdrop of a persistent employability challenge in India.
According to national assessments like the India Skills Report, only around 45–50% of graduates are considered job-ready, with the gap often wider in the Northeast due to limited industry exposure and structured placement opportunities.
Addressing the event, Meghalaya Minister for Sports & Youth Affairs and Health & Family Welfare, Wailadmiki Shylla, stressed the need for discipline and continuous learning. He said technical skills alone are insufficient in today’s workforce, underscoring the importance of work ethic, punctuality, and commitment.
Guest of Honour Manas Chaudhuri highlighted similar values, noting that qualities such as integrity, responsibility, and attention to detail are key to long-term success.
From the industry side, UNIQLO India leadership framed the programme as part of a broader social commitment. COO & CFO Kenji Inoue said the initiative reflects the company’s belief in contributing to society beyond business, encouraging participants to view the training as a starting point for continuous growth.
COO Kaneko Yuichiro added that the company aims to grow alongside local communities by building globally capable talent grounded in strong values.
Highlighting the regional focus, UNIQLO India HR head Kamalika Deka said the Northeast has a strong pool of educated youth but lacks adequate pathways to connect talent with opportunities. The programme, she said, seeks to bridge that gap.
Avenues Meghalaya, which served as the training and curriculum partner, described the initiative as a step towards addressing the disconnect between education and employment. Project Head Raj Kharmih noted visible improvements in participants’ confidence and communication skills over the course of the programme.
Participants also reported tangible benefits. Trainees said the sessions helped them overcome hesitation, improve communication clarity, and better prepare for interviews and workplace environments.
The event also featured cultural performances showcasing the diversity of Northeast India, alongside participation from institutions such as Women’s College Shillong, St. Edmund’s College Shillong, Lady Keane College, MIT University Shillong, and Shillong College.
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