Kohima, November 4 (MExN): ‘LaunchPad’ is a career guidance and employability skill development programme explicitly designed for students pursuing their 12th standard in all Government Higher Secondary Schools across Nagaland.
This is an initiative of the Department of Youth Resources and Sports, Government of Nagaland, in partnership with YouthNet and supported by the Department of School Education, Government of Nagaland.
The programme consist of distinct modules which are specially created to help students utilize their time effectively during the current pandemic lockdown and beyond in developing their soft skills, motivate them to pursue higher education, encourage them to explore avenues beyond traditional jobs and plan their career based on their abilities and interests.
The programme has three main objectives:
• Guide students to discover their ideal career path.
• Enable students to look beyond traditional jobs.
• Assist the student’s transition from school to work.
Assessment of aspirations opinions and thoughts
An online survey was conducted from September 2020 onwards to assess the aspirations opinions and thoughts of the students from 44 Government Higher Secondary Schools across 12 districts in Nagaland.’
A total number of 3687 students are registered for the LaunchPad programme out of which 3067 students responded to the survey till date.
A press release issued by YouthNet stated that the questions asked in the survey are varied and it covers a diverse range of topics and comprehensive in its scope as it covers different aspects of education system basing on the interest and perception of each student.
The primary objective of this survey is to uncover answers, evoke discussion, base decisions on objective information and compare results.
“This valuable feedback is our baseline to measure and establish a benchmark from which to compare the results over time.”
Yawing S Konyak, a student from GHSS Tizit spoke with the LaunchPad team and shared her expectations from the programme. She was the first student to complete the Career Guidance Survey. “With the introduction of this program, it is with certainty that many students will learn and gain a lot in different parameters. This program will equip the students to be successful and smarter individuals.” GHSS Naginimora (Mon) was the first school to complete the survey.
The teacher’s involvement plays a very important role in guiding the students. Speaking to us about the programme, Chubarenla Imsong PGT, GHSS Longleng said “Through the LaunchPad program, I believe it will help the students in discovering their abilities and prepare them to accomplish their plans with success. It will also help in producing qualified workforce, give them better job opportunities, help in the business expansion, and contribute in the growth of the economy.”
According to the survey, majority of the students wishes to pursue higher education after their secondary education. The students were of the opinion that better facilities and employment opportunities lie ahead outside the state and beyond. According to their responses, majority of the students opted for employment in the Government sector rather than in the private sector.
Career guidance survey action plan
YouthNet also informed that poor network connectivity and unavailability of smart phones by some students were the main hurdles while conducting the survey. Smart phones will be made available to those students who don’t have a smart phone to complete the survey and take up the online course during the physical visit to the schools scheduled from January, 2021 onwards by the LaunchPad Team.
The exercise highlighted the need to build digital literacy skills of the students and conduct more awareness sessions on various vocational training courses and career guidance programs to equip our students for a better and employable future.
For more updates of the programme, log into www.launchpadnagaland.com
