With an aim to develop Meghalaya as an epicentre of hospitality and tourism, the Meghalaya State Skill Development Society (MSSDS) organised a tourism and hospitality stakeholder discussion at the State Convention Centre, Shillong yesterday.
Participants involved were hoteliers, homestay owners, representatives of the Indian Institute of Hotel Management (IHM), placement companies, owners of small-scale street fast food joints, and local training providers empanelled with MSSDS.
MSSDS Executive Director Jagdish Chelani, in his presentation, reiterated the young potential and skilled manpower. He stated that by 2030, the State government, with MSSDS, aims to establish a world-class skill development ecosystem to boost employment and economic growth.
He informed that the State government has the goal to train 1.5 lakh youths, with 70 per cent securing job and entrepreneurship opportunities. “Under MSSDS, we have trained over 24,560 youths from across 12 districts. We have 102 training providers and 307 training centres in 28 different sectors, securing 149 trades,” he added.
Subsequently, in a strategic move to strengthen the tourism sector and harness the potential of Meghalaya’s youth, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony took place between MSSDS and North East Maritime Associates (NEMA).
The MoU was signed between Chelani and Ishita Chattopadhyay, Managing Director and CEO of Confidence Shipping, NEMA.
The agreement aims to establish a state-of-the-art hospitality training ecosystem in Meghalaya, creating sustainable job opportunities in yacht, river tourism, cruise lines, maritime hospitality; hotels, hospitals, resorts, and tourism operations, homestays, B&Bs, and domestic hospitality services.
During the programme, presentations were conducted by MSSDS Industry Partners – 2COMS, Asporea, Saathiya, Runo Health with Mihmyntdu Community Social Welfare Association, Ascensive Educare, and North East Maritime Associates (NEMA) with the Institute of Hotel Management, Shillong.
