Skills Nagaland 2025 concludes

The India Skills Nagaland Competition 2025 concluded with a prize distribution and closing ceremony on December 10 at the Directorate of Employment, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (ESDE), Kohima.
Addressing the programme, Phuleshe K. Yepthomi, joint secretary, Labour & ESDE, lauded the department for organising the competition and urged that such initiatives be continued annually to strengthen the skill ecosystem in the state. He encouraged the department to explore more trades and expand skill categories so that more youth can showcase their abilities. He reminded participants that talent must be refined through practice and training, and emphasised that participation itself reflects confidence and a willingness to grow.
Presenting a summary of the competition, Menguzelie Suohu, APO, informed that Nagaland has completed its state-level selections for India Skills as part of the national skill development initiative, with 22 candidates moving ahead to the next stage. He said the state proposed participation in four skill categories—Restaurant Service, Fashion Technology, Graphic Design Technology, and Free Skills. A total of 57 candidates registered, with 22 eventually competing at the state-level event.
Suohu further informed that selected candidates will undergo intensive boot camps with expert mentoring ahead of the Regional Competition likely to be held in Goa in February–March 2026. Successful candidates will qualify for the National Skill Competition in May 2026, leading up to the World Skills Competition scheduled for September 2026 in Shanghai, China. He added that all expenses for training, travel and participation will be borne by the government.
Sharing key takeaways, Ruth Jamir, Jury, State Institutes of Hotel Management (SIHM) Dimapur, encouraged youth to actively participate in skill development programmes, noting that skills provide opportunities to build one’s future beyond government jobs. Insights were also shared by Imtisangla, SIHM Dimapur and Keneilhoukhono Meru, Government Polytechnic Kohima.
Certificates and medals were awarded to winners. In the Restaurant Service category, Imtisangla Kangshou (SIHM Dimapur) bagged first prize, while Ngvuhilo Kent (SIHM Dimapur) and Alo Zhimo (Govt. HSS Purana Bazar, Dimapur) secured second and third prizes respectively. Winners in Fashion Technology included Vimeneno Phira (International University Nagaland, Dimapur), Tonikali Yeptho (Govt. ITI), and Keneilhoukhono Meru (Govt. Polytechnic Kohima).
In his concluding remarks, Savio Visa, Director ESDE, acknowledged the efforts of participants, jury members, officials and technical teams for the successful organisation of India Skills Nagaland 2025.