Officials along with the participants during the launch of the 10-day training programme on baking and confectionery at the MTC, Kohima, on August 18.
Our Correspondent
Kohima | August 19
A 10-day training programme on baking and confectionery was inaugurated at the Multi Training Centre (MTC), Kohima, on August 18, with the objective of equipping youth and women with skills for livelihood and entrepreneurship.
The programme is being conducted in collaboration with the Department of Women Resources Development (WRD) and funded by Kudecho Khamo, MLA and Advisor, CAWD, Nagaland, under the Local Area Development Fund (LADF).
Vahine Thisa, Principal Director (retired), Treasuries and Accounts, Government of Nagaland, attended the inaugural programme as the special guest.
Thisa lauded the WRD for providing skill development opportunities, particularly to women, and appreciated Khamo for initiating the programme for the benefit of people in his constituency.
She stressed the importance of skill development in addressing growing employment challenges and described baking and confectionery as a trade with significant livelihood potential.
Thisa noted that the training was being provided free of cost through collaboration with the department, which could otherwise involve considerable expenses if undertaken through private institutions.
Baking and confectionery offer year-round livelihood opportunities, she said, with demand arising from weddings, birthdays, other celebrations as well as everyday consumption.
Businesses could be started on a small scale, including from home, and gradually expanded through hard work and sincerity, she said.
Thisa encouraged trainees to consider establishing enterprises in villages and sharing the skills they acquire with others. She also called for creativity and innovation to attract customers and expand businesses, particularly in ways that could promote the financial independence of women.
Earlier, Hukupa Ciekhan, PA to the MLA and Advisor, said the initiative was conceived to empower youth and women to become self-reliant rather than remain dependent on others.
He encouraged trainees to adopt an entrepreneurial outlook and not limit their objective to obtaining certificates.
The training programme is aimed at providing participants with practical skills that can potentially be translated into self-employment and small-scale enterprises.
