ITANAGAR, 21 Aug: The Department of Youth Affairs (DYA) conducted a three-day youth empowerment programme, 'Yuva Career Connect', to bridge the gap between learning a skill and understanding how that skill can translate into employment, here from 18 to 20 August.
Around 325 young participants and more than 20 resource persons and practitioners took part in the three-day programme, which featured a series of intensive hands-on workshops on practical skills, creative careers, entrepreneurship, and real-world livelihood opportunities, the DYA said in a release.
The participants learnt directly from experienced professionals, entrepreneurs, artists and home-grown brands through practical workshops across a diverse range of fields. The sessions encouraged young people to explore their interests, interact with practitioners and obtain firsthand understanding of the possibilities available within different career pathways.
Workshops included acting and performance by Roots Art and Culture Trust, hands-on filmmaking and visual storytelling by Genesis 4 Production, photography, videography, video editing, colour grading and filmmaking by 3rd Eye Films, crochet by Nungnu Craft Studio, baking by OvenYums, bead loom, beaded jewellery making and embroidery by House of Macnok, creative crafts and accessories by Thread Along, Korean makeup and hairstyling by Yamtara International Beauty Institute, candle-making by GAMMI - Handpoured Soy Candles, and tailoring and cutting by Rikyir Romin Fashion Institute.
A key feature of the programme was its emphasis on learning by doing. Rather than limiting participants to classroom-based instruction, the workshops allowed them to work directly with tools, techniques and materials while receiving guidance from practitioners working in their respective fields.
Beyond technical skills, the resource persons also shared their personal journeys of building careers, establishing businesses and developing brands. Their experiences provided the participants with practical insights into the challenges and opportunities involved in turning skills and interests into sustainable livelihoods.
The programme also highlighted the importance of exploring diverse career pathways beyond conventional employment. By bringing young people into direct contact with practitioners and entrepreneurs, Yuva Career Connect aimed to demonstrate that a skill, when developed with dedication and supported by the right opportunities, can become a profession, a source of income or even the foundation of a business.
Sports and Youth Affairs Special Secretary Akshat Kaushal, along with Youth Affairs Director Ramesh Linggi presented appreciation certificates to the resource persons during the valedictory programme.
