Twenty-seven nurses from Meghalaya are set to begin their professional journey in Japan after completing their training in Japanese. They will be placed in various hospitals and care homes across Japan.
The selection of these nurses followed an Overseas Nursing Job Fair in August 2023, where they secured placements through the “Skills Meghalaya” scheme, sponsored by the State government through the the Meghalaya State Skill Development Society (MSSDS) by providing Rs 50,000 in support to each candidate.
The fair received a significant response with over one thousand registrations from across the state.
A statement from the Chief Minister’s Office said Conrad K Sangma met with the teachers and students involved in the initiative. Expressing pride, he said, “It is wonderful to see nurses from our state venture abroad to serve people. We wish them success and look forward to hearing positive stories about their experiences. I also encourage others to seize such opportunities, not just for livelihood but also for personal and professional growth.”
The “Skills Meghalaya” initiative, under which this training was conducted, aims to equip youth with essential skills. Organized by MSSDS and the Department of Health & Family Welfare, the program collaborates with firms to offer language training and job placements.
Four firms, including NAVIS, have been identified as facilitators for foreign placements.
An MoU was signed with these firms on December 7, 2023, to facilitate language training and job placements in countries such as Japan, the UK, Singapore, and the UAE.
The nurses were registered with NAVIS for language training and cultural immersion in Bengaluru. Twenty-five of them cleared the N4 and N5 exams on their first attempt and have received employment offers. Five nurses have already received their visas, and two travelled to Japan on May 27, 2024. The remaining visas are currently being processed, the statement said.
Fourteen nurses have been placed for various institutes in Singapore as well which is through a different agency. They will join in about three months’ time, the CMO said.
