Youths set out into business

Chizokho Vero
Kohima | June 22

Thirty two Naga youths who graduated from a 3-months course on Entrepreneurial Skills Development Training (ESDT) conducted by Entrepreneurs Associates (EA) and supported by the state government are all set to venture out into the business world and other self-employment activities. Nagaland with a population of around 2 million people is faced with about 46,000 educated unemployed youth and with near absence of industry and low private enterprises, the state establishment continues to be the sole employer in the society, the EA observed and felt an urgent need for private enterprise and entrepreneurship to grow in the state.

In a graduation day for trainees of ESDT held here today, the certificate and money earned by the trainees during the training including micro finance was handed over to them by Alemtemshi Jamir, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary & Development Commissioner. Responding to the desire expressed by one of the entrepreneurs on the occasion, Jamir said the state government would take up the matter for recognition of the successful entrepreneurs in the state. He said that it would see that this recognition is done during the State events with Governor’s medal and citation. He also reminded all  that violence free and conducive atmosphere is required for entrepreneurs to flourish business activities in the state.

Lauding the EA for giving opportunity to the Naga youth to learn the art of business and self employment ventures, he also wishes to see that such programme is also organized in the districts of Kiphire, Longleng, Mon and Tuensang. He also assured of a higher assistance from government for promotion of enterprise and entrepreneurship development programme. Through ESDT, which aims to promote self-employment and job opportunities to the youth, 32 youths had been trained and also reach out to 85 self employed youths on enhancement of entrepreneurship skills during the 3 months period (from December 13, 2008 to March 31, 2009).

In 2008, the Nagaland University (NU) requested EA to conduct a crash course on entrepreneurship to its students under the Women Studies Department.

The course enabled the EA and NU to expand the horizon of 28 selected students on entrepreneurship, job and employment. 5 of the trainees took up self employment activities with the loan support from EA and 4 of the trainees got local job placements in and around Kohima and Dimapur.

Inspired by this, the EA decided to take the initiative to a new level with drop outs and educated unemployed youths and opportunity was offered by the state government to conduct ESDT under the CM Corpus Fund coinciding with the year of Capacity Building.

During the training period, some of the trainees made a profit of about Rs. 30,000 while majority made between Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 12,000.

The ESDT has made the trainees more productive and resourceful. Some got placements and jobs while some took up business. And for the self employed, their capacity to do business was expanded and many of them had seen increased sales after the training, according to EA.

The ESDT has generated 129 jobs, where 44 new jobs can fully be credited to the ESDT. While 85 self employed were already employed, the ESDT provided them ways and means to expand their businesses which created additional job for 26 persons and because of the micro enterprises that the trainees took up for hostel and tourism unit, 5 more new jobs were created. Besides, 5 trainees took up self employment activities while another 8 found job placements, making the total persons with employment among the youth trainees to 18 jobs.

“This is no mean feat for a 3 months training course. In 3 months of entrepreneurship training, there has been 44 new job created in addition to the existing 85 self employed persons who are now better equipped and trained to do business,” EA said.

On the other hand, on closer examination of the youth trainees, EA observed that about 20% of the ESDT youth trainees have the “unemployability factor,” adding “this is characterized by rigidity to learn, lack of integrity, lack of punctuality, lack of discipline, lack of seriousness, lack of work culture, irresponsible behavior, although they would exhibit good respect to faculty and management.”

Viewing this as serious concern, the EA felt that it was of utmost importance and urgent requirement for policy makers, home makers, educators to rethink on the way “we handle our youths,” adding “if this trend is not reversed, then Nagaland would be landing up with 9200 youth with the “Unemployability factor” in 2009 as we currently have 46000 unemployed youths.”

Again, the EA found that the other 80% of the youth trainees have high willingness to work and create opportunities. “They are our assets. Their skills and aptitudes can be immensely increased with various trainings such as ESDT since such specialized courses are not available in the regular education system in Nagaland.”

EA conducts business skill training from time to time for unemployed youths and self employed as part of its passion in developing entrepreneurship amongst Naga youth. The EA as a committed organization in promoting entrepreneurship has been instrumental in developing private enterprises in 7 district of Nagaland reaching out to over 1250 young people since its inception in 2000.