This mastercraftsman from Nagaland is willing to train whoever is willing to work and earn

DIMAPUR — Despite having a comprehensive education system in Nagaland, the focus is only on structured formal learning, rather than empowering young people with the skills to thrive and become entrepreneurs, which should be the strategic priority, observed Velasuzo Shijoh, proprietor of Craft Showroom in Deizephe.

Shijoh, who is a recipient of Governor’s Award for Art in 2010, has imparted handicraft skills to hundreds of youths from Nagaland and beyond over the years spanning more than three decades.

The 70-year-old mastercraftsman shared his thoughts with Eastern Mirror on the eve of World Youth Skills Day, which is observed on July 15 to celebrate the strategic importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, decent work and entrepreneurship.

He said that he acquired skills in handicraft from his parents and stuck to the profession; and remained focused on imparting skills to the youths and whoever has interest in handcrafts so that they can earn a livelihood.

Career-training initiatives should be imparted in schools to help young people earn as unemployment rate is high in the state, he opined.

‘During our days, the only challenge we faced was to work for our daily bread. But now, with unemployment issues, we need to focus on imparting skills to the youths so that everyone is skilled to be employable,’ he asserted.

In an evolving setting, where technological advancements are reforming industries and empowering youths, he acknowledged that technology has eased his work, while encouraging the youths to be innovative and acquire skills in order to contribute to the society. 

Sharing that he improved only through trainings despite taking up the art in the late 1980s, Shijoh stressed on the importance of skilling the youths in schools or through trainings by the concerned department.

He lamented that the government is not genuinely focused on skilling the youths or the genuine workers. 

At his Craft Showroom in Deizephe, which is also recognised as ‘Craft Village’, about 20 people, including three graduates and five women are working with him.

The mastercraftsman said that he is willing to train whoever is willing to work and earn.

“I am 70 years old and still working, so the youths should also be working or get themselves skilled instead of sitting idle and waiting for government jobs,” he said while pointing out that most youths want to earn without getting training, which is required to acquired skill.

Vedutso Swuro taught in a school in Arunachal Pradesh for three years before joining the Craft Showroom, where he has been working for about 10 years now.

“I was not interested at handicraft works earlier but with persuasion from my family I received training here, and that’s how my interest grew,” he told this newspaper. 

He opined that youths are more into technology these days, so they end up wasting their time without bothering for their future.

‘Before it is too late to realise, youths should get themselves some skills so that they can be employed,’ he said, adding that focus should be given on imparting skill development to students at school.

Another youth, who also works at the Craft Showroom, said that he has been working there for the last five years after dropping out from school. Having got the skills, he said he is able to earn without depending on the government.

Though investing in youth is essential for motivating them, having passion and enthusiasm for individual growth in the profession through skilling is imperative for a long-term career, he observed.