Shillong: Meghalaya is grappling with a shortage of nearly 67,500 jobs in the government sector, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma informed the Assembly on Tuesday.
With close to 70,000 young people entering the job market each year, the state is able to provide only around 2,000–2,500 government jobs annually, leaving a massive employment gap.
To tackle the challenge, Sangma said the government is working on a comprehensive plan to create opportunities beyond the public sector.
Currently, around 7,000 vacancies in government departments are under recruitment, but the administration is also focusing on broader skill development and career guidance to equip youth for varied sectors.
A new career counselling programme has been launched across 25 identified domains—including defence services, banking, and engineering—under the Meghalaya State Skill Development Society (MSSDS).
The initiative will be run through 34 counselling centres where trained advisers will guide aspirants.
During the discussion, Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma welcomed the move but pressed for greater “handholding” of candidates preparing for defence-related jobs.
Responding to this, the chief minister assured that the scheme has been tailored to meet such sector-specific needs.
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Looking ahead, the government has tied its employment strategy to its Vision 2030 framework, which maps future job opportunities across sectors and outlines the investments required.
Tourism alone, Sangma said, is expected to create around 54,000 jobs in the coming years, driven by growth in hospitality and support services such as transport.
“The government has identified the kinds of jobs that will be needed in each department and sector, and MSSDS is working to align career counselling with this roadmap,” the chief minister said, adding that the plan seeks to provide a decade-long employment pathway for the state’s youth.
