Guwahati: Assam Skill, Employment and Entrepreneurship Minister Biswajit Daimary on Friday chaired a state-level review meeting in Dispur to assess the progress of various skill development, employment, and entrepreneurship initiatives, emphasizing a proactive and result-oriented approach to create tangible opportunities for young people.
The meeting, organised by the Skill, Employment and Entrepreneurship Department (SEED) at Janata Bhawan, focused on enhancing youth employability and entrepreneurial avenues, including the transformation of existing Employment Exchanges into District Youth Welfare Centres (DYWCs).
What was announced
Minister Biswajit Daimary reviewed the functioning and performance of key departmental bodies, including the Directorate of Employment and Craftsmen Training (DECT), Assam Skill Development Mission (ASDM), Assam Skill University, and the Employment Wing.
During the meeting, detailed presentations were made outlining the performance indicators and institutional functioning of these entities. The Minister specifically assessed Industrial Training Institute (ITI) admissions over the past three years and the availability of ITIs across Legislative Assembly Constituencies.
A significant point of discussion was the ongoing initiative to transform Employment Exchanges into District Youth Welfare Centres, aimed at broadening their impact beyond mere job registration. The meeting also addressed the implementation of the Chief Minister’s Jibon Prerana Scheme, career and vocational guidance programmes, and other youth-oriented initiatives. Daimary further evaluated the progress of North East Skill Centres (NESC) and CM-FLIGHT programmes.
Why it matters
The emphasis on a proactive, result-oriented approach at the district level is crucial for addressing the persistent challenge of youth unemployment in Assam. The state recorded 1,543,350 registered unemployed persons as of June 30, 2026, according to information presented in the Assam Legislative Assembly. This figure highlights a significant concern, with many young people migrating to other states in search of work due to a lack of local opportunities.
The transformation of Employment Exchanges into District Youth Welfare Centres is a strategic move to reposition these institutions as comprehensive hubs for career development, counselling, and skill enhancement. This initiative aims to equip youth with relevant skills that align with the evolving job market, thereby improving their employment prospects and fostering entrepreneurship.
Background
Assam has historically faced challenges in skill development and employment generation. The erstwhile Labour and Employment Department was bifurcated on September 26, 2016, leading to the establishment of the Skill, Employment and Entrepreneurship Department (SEED) to focus specifically on these areas. The Assam Skill Development Mission (ASDM), registered in 2015 and operational since January 2017, functions as an apex body under SEED to coordinate skill initiatives and target skilling 1.50 lakh youths annually.
The idea of transforming employment exchanges into youth welfare centres is not new; discussions on this began as early as September 2017, when then-Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary announced that all employment exchanges would be converted into district skill development centres to serve as career counselling facilitation centres. In July 2023, it was announced that the Guwahati Employment Exchange would be transformed into a District Youth Welfare Centre, with plans for similar centres in every district.
The state’s unemployment figures have shown fluctuations and persistent challenges. The Economic Survey of Assam for 2023-24, tabled in the Assam Assembly, revealed that nearly 10 lakh educated youths registered in employment exchanges in 2022, a seven-fold increase from 1.4 lakh in 2021. The unemployment rate among youth aged 15 years and above stood at 1.7 percent in Assam during 2022-23, compared to the national average of 3.2 percent. However, the urban unemployment rate in Assam was higher at 6.1 percent during the same period.
In August 2026, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the cabinet’s approval for setting up a new Youth Empowerment and Welfare Department, which would oversee all youth-related issues, including Employment Exchanges, starting from September 17. This new department aims to consolidate efforts in career guidance, entrepreneurship, and leadership development.
Key details
The review meeting, held on Friday, August 22, 2026, at Janata Bhawan, Dispur, saw the presence of Commissioner and Secretary, SEED, Dr. Om Prakash, IAS, and Secretary SEED Kasturi Bharali, along with other senior officials.
Minister Daimary stressed the importance of skill development programmes keeping pace with the evolving job market to ensure youth are equipped with relevant skills. He also called for closer coordination between ITIs and Employment Exchanges to improve skill development, employment prospects, and entrepreneurial avenues for Assam’s youth.
The initiatives discussed, such as the North East Skill Centres (NESC) and CM-FLIGHT, are part of the state’s broader strategy to leverage its demographic dividend. Assam is projected to have 38 percent of its population in the 15-34 age group by 2026, underscoring the urgency of effective skill development to overcome employability challenges.
What’s next
The directives from Minister Daimary indicate a renewed push for a more integrated and responsive skill development ecosystem in Assam. The ongoing transformation of Employment Exchanges into District Youth Welfare Centres is expected to gather pace, aiming to provide more holistic support to job seekers and aspiring entrepreneurs.
Further coordination between Industrial Training Institutes and these revamped centres will be crucial for aligning training programmes with industry demands and facilitating better placement opportunities. The state government’s commitment to creating a dedicated Youth Empowerment and Welfare Department, set to begin functioning from September 17, 2026, will likely provide a more focused administrative framework for these initiatives.