Nagaland Chief Secretary calls for industry-aligned education to address skills gap

Nagaland Chief Secretary Sentiyanger Imchen has called for a major shift in the state’s higher education system toward practical, industry-aligned courses to address a significant skills gap and high unemployment rates.

Speaking at a consultative seminar organized by the Department of Higher and Technical Education, Imchen noted that 92% of residents lack formal vocational or technical education. He highlighted a paradox where university graduates possess theoretical knowledge but remain unemployed due to a lack of practical skills required by employers. Citing the ‘Unemployment, Skill and Migration in Nagaland 2025’ report, he stated that 78% of workers in the state have no prior work experience.

Imchen also compared regional employment data to national figures, noting that Nagaland’s unemployment rate of 7.3% is double the national rate of 3.5%. Among youth aged 15 to 29, the state's unemployment rate stands at 17.5%, compared to a national average of 9.9%. He emphasized that educational institutions must adapt to global forces such as technological disruption, climate change, and the green transition to better prepare graduates for high-growth domains.