Dimapur: The final event for the LaunchPad “Career Guidance and Employability Skill Development Program” concluded on Saturday, May 11, at Tetso College in Chumoukedima. It culminated in the form of a “LaunchPad Education and Career Fair 2024”.
The fair marked the last leg of the LaunchPad series for its third academic year, 2023-24.
LaunchPad is a Career Guidance and Employability Skill Development Program initiated by the Department of Youth Resources and Sports, Government of Nagaland, in partnership with YouthNet and supported by the Department of School Education, Government of Nagaland. It was launched on August 18, 2020.
LaunchPad is a self-paced online training program for 12th-grade students of all 52 Government Higher Secondary Schools across all 16 Districts of Nagaland. It runs throughout the academic year.
The modules have been designed to help students effectively utilize their time in developing their soft skills, motivate them to pursue higher education, encourage exploration of avenues beyond traditional jobs, and plan their careers based on their abilities and interests. This program also serves as a breakthrough in combating unemployment among Nagaland’s youth.
Speaking at the event as the special guest, the chairman of Nagaland Industrial Development Corporation (NIDC) and director of Tetso College, Kvulo Lorin, noted that society is overly fixated on ranks and rank holders, whereas what is truly needed is for academically successful individuals to engage in real work on the ground.
“I think everyone in our state has heard fantastic speeches, great words. We also have seen so many smart students and people with many resources. But what we need to see now is people using these resources, education, and everything to put those talks into action on the ground,” he said.
He emphasized that Nagaland has seen significant educational progress over the generations and challenged students to use their education to effect positive changes in society.
Lorin shared that the LaunchPad program’s focus is not solely on producing gold medalists or toppers but rather on ensuring that students utilize their education to create societal changes across the state, even in the remotest districts.
Also speaking at the event, District Youth Resource Officer of Dimapur and Niuland, Department of Youth Resources and Sports, Khrieketho-ü Kense, defined LaunchPad as a comprehensive program to assist individuals in making informed educational and occupational choices. She stressed its importance in developing a robust educational system and helping learners make early decisions.
“The program is designed to prepare students to have a greater understanding of career opportunities, options, and to assist them in making meaningful and informed career choices—to know your intentions and dreams,” she said.
Nuneseno Chase, the director of YouthNet Nagaland, shared an overview of the LaunchPad program and highlighted its objective to make students aware of their skill sets, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, interests, and abilities to pursue higher education.
Importantly, she mentioned that the program caters not only to academically inclined students but also introduces vocational training in sectors such as retail, automobile, tourism and hospitality, and IT.
Furthermore, Chase emphasized the transition from school to work and the importance of real-world work experience. She noted that in 2020, the program started with an enrollment of 3,300 students, which increased to 3,796 students this year.
During the event, scholarships were awarded to three students, and a laptop and smartphones were given to outstanding students. Two teachers were also recognized for their exceptional dedication in teaching.
Additionally, the event witnessed the attendance of over 500 school students from different districts, including Peren, Shamator, Mon, Dimapur, Chumoukedima, and Niuland.
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