Assam‘s Minister for Skill, Employment & Entrepreneurship, Biswajit Daimary, recently reviewed plans for establishing a Global Skill Centre in Guwahati and Satellite Global Skill Centres in Silchar, Bongaigaon, and Dibrugarh. The review, held on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, also encompassed a significant initiative to introduce future skills in approximately 800 schools across the state through a Hub-and-Spoke model.
These initiatives are part of the state government’s intensified efforts to address persistent youth unemployment and equip Assam’s workforce with industry-relevant competencies. The proposed centres and school-based programmes aim to bridge existing skill gaps and foster greater employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for the state’s burgeoning young population.
What was announced
Minister Biswajit Daimary chaired a series of review meetings at the Conference Hall of the Minister’s Office, Janata Bhawan, in Guwahati on September 23, 2026. According to the Ministry’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), the discussions focused on various aspects of the Skill, Employment & Entrepreneurship Department’s initiatives.
Among the key proposals reviewed was the establishment of a Global Skill Centre in Guwahati, envisioned as a premier institution for advanced skill training. Additionally, plans were discussed for setting up Satellite Global Skill Centres in three other major towns: Silchar, Bongaigaon, and Dibrugarh.
The meetings also covered a proposal to integrate “future skills” into the curriculum of around 800 schools across Assam. This would be implemented through a Hub-and-Spoke model, aiming for widespread reach and accessibility of modern vocational education. Further discussions included strengthening Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), enhancing training, assessment, and certification support, and developing the capacity of faculty and trainers.
The review also addressed the status of ongoing Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) of the Directorate of Employment and Craftsmen Training (DECT) with various organisations and explored possibilities for adopting new approaches and partnerships. A proposal for a new Externally Aided Project (EAP) was also considered during the extensive meetings, the PRO stated.
Why it matters
The renewed focus on skill development comes at a critical time for Assam, which continues to grapple with significant youth unemployment. Data presented in the Assam Assembly revealed that as of June 30, 2026, a staggering 15,43,350 individuals were registered as unemployed across the state.
The state’s Economic Survey report, tabled in the Assam Assembly in February 2024, highlighted a seven-fold increase in educated job seekers, with nearly 10 lakh registered in 2022 compared to 1.37 lakh in 2021. This indicates a growing mismatch between available skills and industry demands.
The proposed Global Skill Centres and the school-based future skills initiative are designed to directly tackle these challenges by providing advanced, industry-aligned training. The Assam Skill Development Mission (ASDM), the state’s apex body for skill development, aims to provide assured employment and amplify entrepreneurship opportunities by bridging these critical skill gaps.
By introducing “future skills” in schools, the government seeks to prepare students from an early age for Industry 4.0 technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Augmented Reality (AR). This aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, ensuring students are equipped with relevant competencies for the evolving job market.
Background
Assam has been actively pursuing skill development as a key strategy for economic growth and youth empowerment. The Assam Skill Development Mission (ASDM) was established with the mandate to create skill development and livelihood avenues and increase the income levels of the state’s youth.
In September 2023, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated training centres to skill 5,750 youth under the ASDM in 59 vocations. He also launched the “Skill Yatra,” a mobile awareness campaign to promote skill education in various districts.
A significant step towards integrating skill education at the school level was taken in August 2025, when the Assam government approved a Rs. 600 crore project in collaboration with Nelco Limited, a subsidiary of Tata Power. This partnership aims to develop skill education centres across Assam under the Samagra Shiksha Axom (SSA) framework, using a Hub-and-Spoke model. The project initially targeted 50 hubs and 500 spokes vocational training centres within secondary and higher secondary schools.
Under this existing collaboration, Tata-Nelco contributes 75% of the funding, with the Assam government and Samagra Shiksha covering the remaining 25%. The initiative focuses on enhancing vocational and skill training for students in Classes IX to XII, utilising satellite-based technology for expert course delivery.
Earlier efforts also included the conversion of employment exchanges into district skill development centres, aiming to better utilise existing infrastructure for career counselling and skill training. The North East Skill Centre (NESC) in Guwahati, a premier skill development institute established in collaboration with ITES, Singapore, commenced operations in November 2018, offering international certification.
Assam is poised to benefit from a demographic dividend, with projections indicating that 38% of its population will fall within the 15-34 age group by 2026. Leveraging this demographic advantage through robust skill development is crucial for the state’s economic progress.
Key details
The recent review by Minister Biswajit Daimary confirmed the government’s intent to establish a Global Skill Centre in Guwahati. This flagship centre is expected to serve as a hub for advanced skill training, catering to diverse industrial demands.
To ensure wider regional coverage and accessibility, Satellite Global Skill Centres are proposed for three key locations: Silchar, Bongaigaon, and Dibrugarh. These centres will likely extend the reach of high-quality skill development to different parts of the state.
The “Future Skills Initiative” aims to introduce contemporary and emerging skills in approximately 800 schools across Assam. This will be facilitated through a Hub-and-Spoke model, building upon the existing framework established in collaboration with Tata-Nelco under Samagra Shiksha Axom, which targets 50 hubs and 500 spokes for students from Class IX to Class XII.
What’s next
The review meetings indicate that the Assam Skill, Employment & Entrepreneurship Department is in an active planning and implementation phase for these major skill development initiatives. Minister Daimary emphasised the necessity for effective implementation and strong inter-departmental coordination to ensure the success of these programmes.
Officials familiar with the matter suggest that the next steps will involve detailed project planning, allocation of resources, and the phased rollout of the Global Skill Centres and the future skills curriculum in schools. The government is committed to adopting a proactive and result-oriented approach at the district level to create tangible employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for the youth of Assam.