Can Skilling Unlock the North East's Growth Story? A Bold Government Pilot Thinks So

In the heart of Aizawl, surrounded by the serene hills of Mizoram, a quiet revolution has just begun—one that could redefine how India looks at skilling and employment, especially for the often-overlooked North Eastern states.

For decades, the North East has remained a paradox in India’s growth narrative—rich in culture, talent, and resources, yet struggling to integrate into the mainstream economic engine. But now, a fresh initiative by the Government of India promises to change that story by tapping into the region’s most untapped resource—its youth.

On a brisk morning in Aizawl, Jayant Chaudhary, the newly appointed Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), stood shoulder to shoulder with Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma as they launched the North East Apprenticeship Pilot (NEAP)—a strategic program designed to empower, skill, and employ thousands of youth from the region.

And this isn't just another government program. This one has a soul, a vision, and most importantly—a plan.

A Scheme Rooted in Vision, Designed for Action

The North East Apprenticeship Pilot is not just about training. It’s about transformation.

Under this pilot, over 26,000 young individuals from the North East will be offered structured apprenticeship opportunities. What makes it truly unique? Each apprentice will receive an additional ₹1,500 per month for a full year—over and above the regular stipend offered under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS).

This extra push isn’t conditional on location. Whether the apprentice is working in Assam or Andhra Pradesh, Mizoram or Maharashtra—the support will follow them.

The Government has earmarked ₹43.94 crore for this pilot, including a dedicated ₹4 crore for outreach, awareness, and capacity building. This isn’t just funding; it’s fuel for hope.

More Than Training—A Gateway to Real Jobs

"This is not just another skilling program. It is a bridge to employment,” said Minister Jayant Chaudhary at the launch. And rightly so.

In India’s startup-driven, digitally transforming economy, there’s a growing gap between classroom education and industry requirements. Apprenticeships help bridge that gap. They offer hands-on, real-world experience—often the missing piece in a young job seeker’s resume.

By making apprenticeships aspirational and accessible, the government is directly addressing the employability challenge, especially in remote and underserved regions.

The Women Power in the North East

One of the most powerful undercurrents in this pilot is its focus on gender-responsive skilling.

Interestingly, the North East already leads the country in female participation in apprenticeships, according to NAPS data. This pilot aims to accelerate that trend, ensuring that women not only join the workforce but thrive in it.

“The North East is leading the charge in women-led empowerment,” Chaudhary remarked, underscoring how the region could become a national example of gender-inclusive economic development.

A Powerful Collaboration with Industry

To ensure that this isn’t a standalone initiative, the launch event witnessed a key partnership between the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and Welspun Living Limited—a major player in India’s textile sector.

Together, they’ve committed to training 1,000 youth, at least 50% of whom will be women, using a blended model that combines classroom learning with practical on-the-job training at Welspun’s facilities in Gujarat.

The result? A job-ready workforce. A joint NSDC-Welspun certification will further validate the candidates’ skills, giving them an edge in a competitive job market.

From Classrooms to Cutting-Edge ITIs

The event also highlighted another major policy move—the National Scheme for ITI Upgradation, which has just received Cabinet approval.

With a staggering outlay of ₹60,000 crore, this scheme will modernise 1,000 Government ITIs using a hub-and-spoke model. The North East, with its vast geography and low industrial penetration, stands to benefit immensely from upgraded infrastructure and closer industry linkage.

This holistic approach—from apprenticeships to institutional revamp—signals a bold move to create an ecosystem rather than isolated efforts.

Why Startups Should Be Watching Closely

For India’s burgeoning startup ecosystem, this development carries significant implications.

As early-stage companies struggle with talent acquisition, especially in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, the apprenticeship model presents a cost-effective, scalable, and impactful solution to train and absorb local talent.

More importantly, this pilot could set a precedent for region-specific skilling models. Imagine startups launching from Shillong or Imphal, backed by a pool of skilled youth trained via government-industry partnerships.

By aligning skills with market needs, this initiative could help nurture micro-startup ecosystems even in remote pockets of the North East.

A Model for Inclusive Growth

Since its inception in 2016, the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) has enabled over 42 lakh apprenticeship engagements across the country. More than ₹870 crore has been disbursed via Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) since 2022, and over 35,000 establishments and 5,000 apprenticeship fairs have supported its expansion.

The North East Apprenticeship Pilot is a natural next step—a focused intervention aimed at regional equity. It’s a template that can be replicated across other underrepresented geographies of India, ensuring no one is left behind in the skills revolution.

Skilling with Heart and Strategy

Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma captured the mood aptly when he said, “This initiative empowers our young citizens to claim their rightful place in India’s evolving economy.”

Indeed, the pilot scheme is more than just an announcement—it’s a commitment to human capital, economic integration, and aspirational skilling.

If executed with the same spirit with which it was launched, the North East Apprenticeship Pilot might just be the tipping point that transforms the region from a ‘potential-rich’ story to a ‘performance-driven’ success.