Guwahati: The North East Skill Centre (NESC) has announced a significant placement milestone, with 143 out of 198 students from its 2025-26 batch securing job offers, including 30 overseas placements. The offers were distributed at a ceremony held at the NESC campus in Garchuk on Sunday, August 2, 2026.

This achievement underscores the Assam government’s sustained focus on skill development and its commitment to enhancing youth employability, both domestically and internationally. The high placement rate reflects the growing confidence of leading employers in the professionally trained workforce emerging from the state.

What was announced

The North East Skill Centre, operating under the Assam Skill Development Mission (ASDM) and the Department of Skill, Employment and Entrepreneurship, announced on Sunday, August 2, 2026, that 143 students from its 2025-26 batch have secured job placements. This figure represents a substantial portion of the 198 students who appeared for their final examinations conducted under Assam Skill University.

Notably, 30 of these students have received overseas job offers in Dubai with organisations such as Lulu Group and Emirates Sea Restaurant L.L.C. Domestic placements include leading employers like The Oberoi Udaivilas, The Oberoi Sukhvilas, The Leela Palace, Taj Group, and Lulu Group. Skill, Employment and Entrepreneurship Minister Biswajit Daimary, Dr. Om Prakash, IAS, Commissioner and Secretary, Skill, Employment and Entrepreneurship Department, and Hanif Noorani, ACS, Mission Director, Assam Skill Development Mission (ASDM) were present at the offer letter distribution ceremony.

Why it matters

The successful placement of a large cohort of skilled youth is a critical indicator of the effectiveness of Assam’s skill development initiatives. Minister Biswajit Daimary highlighted that this success “reflects the success of the government’s policy of linking skill development with employment.” He added that more placement opportunities are anticipated for the remaining students, both within India and overseas.

Officials stated that these placements demonstrate the increasing trust of prominent employers in Assam’s professionally trained workforce, which is expected to further bolster the state’s skilled manpower. The emphasis on internationally benchmarked courses in sectors like Hospitality, Retail, and Beauty & Wellness, developed in collaboration with Singapore’s ITE Education Services (ITEES), prepares students for a global job market, addressing the challenge of youth unemployment in the state.

Background

The Assam Skill Development Mission (ASDM) was established by the Government of Assam in 2015, under the aegis of the Skill, Employment and Entrepreneurship Department, with a vision to build the capacity of unemployed youth and provide quality skill training leading to meaningful employment. The mission officially commenced operations in January 2017. It functions as an apex body for all skill initiatives in the state, aiming to skill 1.50 lakh youths annually.

The North East Skill Centre (NESC) was set up by ASDM in collaboration with Singapore’s ITE Education Services (ITEES) to offer internationally benchmarked courses. This collaboration aims to provide high-quality vocational and technical education, focusing on practical-based training, soft skill development, industrial exposure, and placement assistance. The curriculum at NESC is aligned with international standards and National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) guidelines, enhancing students’ employability in global markets.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has consistently stressed the importance of skill development to meet industry requirements and prepare the state’s youth for global employment opportunities. He highlighted that the government is strengthening the state’s skill development ecosystem through skill education in over 1,700 schools, industry-linked training programmes, and institutions like Assam Skill University. In September 2023, Chief Minister Sarma inaugurated training centres under ASDM to train 5,750 youth in 59 vocations and launched the ‘Skill Yatra’ to raise skill awareness in four districts.

The state government has also pursued initiatives to connect Assam’s youth with international employment, particularly in Japan, through Japanese language training under the CM Flight Scheme. During a visit to NESC in July 2026, Chief Minister Sarma stated that the government has invested approximately Rs 1.5 lakh per trainee in four phases under this scheme to facilitate education and specialised training for employment in Japan.

Unemployment, particularly among educated youth, has been a persistent challenge in Assam. According to the Directorate of Employment and Craftsmen Training, 15,43,350 people were registered as job seekers in Assam as of June 30, 2026, with 6,48,899 being graduates. Skill development initiatives like those by NESC and ASDM aim to bridge the gap between education and employment by providing industry-relevant skills.

Key details

The North East Skill Centre’s 2025-26 batch comprised 198 students who completed their training and appeared for final examinations. Out of these, 143 students have successfully secured job placements.

  • Total Students in Batch: 198
  • Students Placed: 143
  • Overseas Placements: 30 (primarily in Dubai with organisations like Lulu Group and Emirates Sea Restaurant L.L.C.)
  • Domestic Placements: 113 (with leading employers such as The Oberoi Udaivilas, The Oberoi Sukhvilas, The Leela Palace, Taj Group, and Lulu Group)
  • Courses Offered by NESC: Hospitality, Retail, and Beauty & Wellness, with curriculum benchmarked against international standards and NSQF guidelines.

Placement drives for the remaining students are expected to continue through August 2026.

Reactions

“This reflects the success of the government’s policy of linking skill development with employment. We have started with just one batch, and already more than 140 students have secured jobs. Several companies came to recruit our trainees for hospitality, food and beverage, and other trades. Some have received opportunities in Dubai, while many others have found placements across the country,” Skill, Employment and Entrepreneurship Minister Biswajit Daimary said.

Officials familiar with the development stated that the placements indicate the growing confidence of leading employers in professionally trained manpower from Assam, which is expected to further strengthen the state’s skilled workforce.

What’s next

The Assam Skill Development Mission and the North East Skill Centre are expected to continue their placement drives for the remaining students from the 2025-26 batch throughout August 2026. The government’s broader strategy includes expanding the Industrial Training Institute (ITI) network, with plans to establish ITIs in every legislative constituency, addressing a current shortage of approximately 70 ITIs.

Future initiatives also include strengthening industry partnerships for curriculum design and training, and preparing youth for Industry 4.0 technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Augmented Reality (AR). Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has indicated that the state government will collaborate with Tata Technology to train youth at 70 ITIs in these advanced technologies.

Sources & References

Source: North East Skill Centre (NESC) / Assam Skill Development Mission (ASDM) Official Information