Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday reaffirmed his government’s commitment to preparing the state’s youth for global employment opportunities, with a particular focus on Japan through the ongoing CM Flight Scheme. The Chief Minister highlighted the significant investment made by the state per trainee in skill development programmes at the North East Skill Centre.

The initiative, implemented under the Assam Skill Development Mission (ASDM), aims to address the issue of unemployment by equipping young people with foreign language proficiency and specialised skills, thereby opening pathways to international job markets. This strategic focus is expected to boost the state’s economy through foreign remittances and enhance Assam’s human capital development.

What was announced

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Sunday that preparing Assam’s youth for global employment, especially in Japan, through Japanese language training under the CM Flight Scheme, remains a top priority for his government. He made these remarks while addressing trainees during a visit to the North East Skill Centre at Gorchuk.

During his visit, the Chief Minister inspected the centre’s infrastructure and reviewed the ongoing skill development and employment-oriented training programmes. He also interacted with trainees and instructors undergoing Japanese language training, underscoring the government’s sustained efforts to connect Assam’s youth with international job prospects.

Why it matters

This initiative is crucial for Assam as it seeks to leverage its demographic dividend and address persistent unemployment challenges. By focusing on global employment, particularly in a country like Japan which faces an ageing population and labour shortages, the state aims to create a robust channel for its skilled workforce.

The CM Flight Scheme is designed to provide economic empowerment to the youth through overseas employment, potentially leading to increased remittances that can significantly boost Assam’s economy, drawing parallels with states like Kerala. It also positions Assam as a key contributor to India’s Act East Policy, strengthening bilateral ties with Japan.

The scheme targets training and placing 50,000 youth by 2030, with a potential extension to one lakh beneficiaries. Successful candidates can secure five-year work visas in Japan, with potential monthly salaries of up to Rs 2 lakh.

Background

The Assam Skill Development Mission (ASDM) was established in 2015 under the Skill, Employment and Entrepreneurship Department to serve as the apex body for all skill development activities in the state. Its vision is to build the capacity of unemployed youth and provide quality skill training leading to meaningful employment.

ASDM began functioning in January 2017, aiming to skill 1.50 lakh youths annually. The mission has undertaken various initiatives, including the North East Skill Centre (NESC), established in collaboration with Singapore-based ITE Education Services (ITEES) in March 2019. The NESC was set up to offer international standard, quality skill training, initially focusing on hospitality, retail, and beauty and wellness sectors.

Unemployment has been a significant concern in Assam. According to the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), the unemployment rate in Assam was 5.9 per cent in January 2016, rising to 7.6 per cent in December 2020, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The state government has prioritised skill development and entrepreneurship to tackle this issue.

The CM Flight Scheme, formally known as the Chief Minister’s Foreign Language Initiative for Global Human Talent (CM-FLIGHT), was initially announced by Chief Minister Sarma in July 2025. It was approved by the state cabinet to equip youth with foreign language skills, specifically Japanese, for overseas employment under Japan’s Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa programme.

Key details

Under the CM Flight Scheme, the Assam government has invested approximately Rs 1.5 lakh per trainee across four phases to provide education and specialised training. This investment aims to enable candidates to secure employment in industries and other establishments in Japan.

The total cost of the Japanese language training course, which prepares candidates up to the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) N2 level, was initially around Rs 3.6 lakh. This was later reduced to Rs 1.8 lakh through negotiations. The financial model involves the Assam government contributing Rs 1 lakh, the Japanese government Rs 50,000, and the candidate bearing the remaining Rs 30,000. Axis Bank has also agreed to provide loan support for the candidate’s contribution.

The training is implemented through international partners such as ASEAN ONE Co. Ltd., Jaceex Ventures LLP, and Meiko Career Partners Co. Ltd. These agencies impart Japanese language training and facilitate overseas employment under Japan’s Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa programme, which covers over 160 skill categories.

Focus sectors for employment in Japan include nursing, caregiving, construction, hospitality, and food services. Eligibility criteria for the scheme generally require youth to be under 45 years of age and have completed Class 10 or 12, with a focus on achieving JLPT N2 proficiency.

Reactions

“Preparing Assam’s youth for global employment opportunities while building an ‘Atmanirbhar Assam’ through skill development, employment and entrepreneurship remains one of his government’s foremost priorities,” Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

“Remittances from Indians working abroad have greatly strengthened India’s economy and states like Maharashtra and Kerala are far ahead in this sector. CM-FLIGHT is about promoting our youth and strengthening our economy. When our people work abroad and send money home, it will give Assam’s economy a major boost,” Chief Minister Sarma said.

The Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP), a political party, has expressed concern over youths leaving the state for small jobs and the safety issues they face, urging the government to create more self-employment opportunities within Assam.

What’s next

The CM Flight Scheme is an ongoing initiative, with the Assam government actively exploring similar collaborations with other countries, including South Korea and Germany, to further expand international employment opportunities for its youth.

The state aims to institutionalise cooperation with Japan, potentially establishing an Assam–Japan Employment Desk for better coordination. Efforts are also underway to expand Japanese language and testing centres within India and strengthen collaboration between Japanese employers and Indian skilling institutions.

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