Eyeing a bright future, the rural youth of Arunachal Pradesh appear willing to explore employment opportunities outside the state at a training and recruitment rally here, with many of them opting for skills that have markets in bigger cities and industrial towns.
The unemployed youth of the state, which has over 77 percent of its population in rural areas, are opting for training in fields ranging from hospitality to plastic moulding at the "job mela-cum-skill development selection rally" organsied by the state government here.
They appear willing to look beyond jobs in the government sector, which has been the traditional source of employment in this mountainous border state. Girls, too, are opting for training in fields that have no demand in the state due lack of an industrial base.
At the stall put up by the Central Institute of Plastic Engineering and Technology at the Indira Gandhi ground here, girls have enrolled in sizeable numbers for the course of plastic machine operator.
"About 30 percent of those who have enrolled are girls. Most of the youth will work outside the state as the plastic industry is not here," Rajiv Kumar Dass, an official of the institute, told IANS.
He said the youth will be provided training for six months before being posted for jobs.
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Twenty-eight vocational training providers are taking part in the three-day training-cum-recruitment rally which will culminate Sep 1. The youth have been offered training in a range of fields including marketing, retail, beauty care, tourism, computers, hospitality and hydropower. The state government will bear cost of their training.
Goyum Dokey, a graduate from Pasighat in East Siang district, said she wants to join the airline industry.
"If I get a job in the eastern part of the country, it will be better, but I am willing to work anywhere," she said.
Suraj Polo, who could not continue his studies beyond class 9 due to family problems, entlisted himself for being trained as a security guard.
Polo came to the Indira Gandhi ground here accompanied by his elder brother from Lower Dibang Valley district after travelling for almost 15 hours.
"I will continue my studies after joining work," he said.
Amazing Networks Pvt Ltd, New Delhi, which will provide 35-day training to the youth to post them as security guards, has assured 100 percent placement.
"We intend to open training facilities in the state. Before inducting the youth for training, we will visit their villages for a medical check up," said B. Dilip of Amazing Networks.
Kater Bagra, a girl from West Siang district, said she had opted for training as a storekeeper.
"I have never travelled outside Arunachal Pradesh and do not have an idea of opportunities outside. But I am willing to explore," she said.
There are also youth at the fair who did not fully understand its purpose and came to acquire skills that are common.
Do Jum Ado, a young boy who has studied till class 10, came to the rally from his village in West Siang distrcit in the hope of picking up driving skills.
"I have not yet found a vocational training provider," he said.
Arunachal Pradesh government officials said that the state's GDP had been growing 8.7 percent from 2004 and 2010 and projections suggested that it will be able to provide employment opportunities to 1.47 lakh youth between 2011 and 2021.
"However, the number of youth looking for jobs will be much higher. The state has young population with about fifty five percent of its population is in the working age group of 15-59. Many youth will need to find opportunities outside the state," an official said.
He said the youth, selected for training at the job rally, will be assessed by Independent assessing bodies and given National Council for Vocational Training certificates.
"The certificates will entitle them to get employment within and outside the country," the official said.
(Prashant Sood can be contacted at prashant.s@ians.in)