‘Crucial to empower Nagas with necessary knowledge and skills’

Morung Express News
Kohima | October 16

Forty-eight people from the Western Angami region have completed the first level of Skill Proficiency Management for building and other construction workers advanced training of trainers (TOT) 2022-2023.

They were trained on plumbing, tiling and electrical for a week from Khonoma village which started on October 9. The training programme was sponsored by Nagaland Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board (NBOCWWB) and conducted by the Zynorique Initiatives Society (ZIN).

Gracing the closing programme on October 16 as the guest of honour, Minister for Women Resource Development and Horticulture, Salhoutuonuo Kruse emphasised on the importance of skill development training.

With government jobs which has reached a saturation point, Kruse said it has become crucial for Nagas to empower themselves with necessary knowledge and skills to capture the job opportunities in construction which is being currently captured by people from outside.

“When we have equipped ourselves with the required skills and techniques, it will pave way for personal growth as well as professional advancement,” Kruse stated.

While congratulating the trainees on successful completion of the first level of the training, she also advised them to continuously evaluate and identify areas for improvement and seek further training to grow professionally.

The Minister also thanked the NBOCWWB and ZIS for conducting the training programme for the people.

NBOCWWB CEO, Chubayanger Aier, said the government has been conducting several trainings for its people, however reminded that the people must have the desire to learn and up skill themselves.

Observing that the mentality of most people after training programmes is for ‘subsidy and loans’, Aier said this trend is very discouraging. While Nagas have the inherent aptitude of learning things quickly, he also noted that many lack discipline to progress further.

He also noted construction as the biggest industry in the state of Nagaland wherein 25% of the construction cost is being spend on labour payment which he said ‘could be ours if we can replace workers from outside.’

Aier also informed on the need for trainer of trainers from among the Nagas, which he said is lacking at the money. He encouraged the trainees to sincerely continue with whatever they have learnt, and in future could become ToTs after completing all the levels of training (L1-4).

Giving a brief highlight on the training programme, ZIS Chairman, Architect Richard Belho said this has been conceptualised along with the district administration and line departments.

Following the training, the trainees will be registered under Labour Department soon. “This kind of training programmes although are often expensive has been conducted free of cost,” said Belho.

Encouraging the trainees, he said people must be discipline, value time and money, respect their uniform and strive to create an ecosystem while assuring help in the form of handholding for the trainees to establish themselves.

“We always say we want change but for the change to happen in the society it has to happen from the mindset of the average person,” stated Belho.

Speaking on behalf of the trainees, a trainee has thanked the Minister, sponsor and ZIS for bringing the training programme to their doorsteps, and urged his fellow trainees to make the best use of the knowledge and skills acquired to grow professionally and earn their livelihoods.

Later, the Minister gave away the completion certificates and tools including tile cutter, hammer drill etc free of cost to the trainees while best trainees were awarded with an extra tool of circular saw.