In an effort to equip local youth with foundational career skills, members of the Sadew community including teachers, social workers, government employees, privately employed individuals and youth members of the church came together to organise a one-day workshop for youths of employable age.
The workshop was organised by the community members of Sadew in collaboration with Avenues at St. Thomas’ Church on May 7.
The programme saw the participation of a mixed group of students and working individuals in sessions that imparted communication skills, interpersonal skills, interview skills and basic career readiness strategies.
The workshop was conducted by a team of Soft Skills Trainers and Life Coaches from Avenues who said that it was an encouraging sight for members of a community to come together from varied backgrounds and take forward the initiative that will inspire critical career skill sets in their youth.
Reginald Nongkhlaw, President of Seng Samla, St. Thomas’ Church, Sadew, lauded the efforts of the Avenues in providing the workshop participants with the clarity of thought and guidance needed to improve their choice-making and decision-taking abilities.
“The need-of-the-hour for our youth today is an all-round skill set that will help give them the direction needed to forge ahead towards the future that they dream for themselves,” he said. Furthermore, he expressed the need for the church to work along with community and state leaders to initiate such interventions for the betterment of their youth.
One of the workshop participants, Roplang Kharpuri, who is a teacher by profession said, “As a young person I feel that programmes such as these are important in helping me understand the importance of setting goals and striving to achieve them with persistence.”
Speaking about the need for exposing young people to similar programmes another participant, Ephelian Kharkongor, also a teacher said, “The youth struggle to find jobs even after completing higher studies. They do not have clarity about the path they should follow in order to achieve success in life.” She said the workshop has helped her gain a better understanding on how to live a purposeful life. “Not only have I clearly understood my passion, but I have also realised how I can use my talent and knowledge to help lead the way for others,” she added.
It may be mentioned that for the past 19 years, Avenues has been pioneering career preparedness programmes and soft skills training across the State and Northeast through powerful interventions that build confidence, emotional resilience and aspiration in youth.
