Meghalaya Confronts 67,500 Government Job Shortfall; CM Launches Career Counselling Initiative

Meghalaya is currently grappling with a significant shortfall in government employment, as highlighted by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma in the state Assembly on Tuesday. According to the Chief Minister, while approximately 70,000 young people become eligible to join the workforce each year, the state government is only able to offer between 2,000 and 2,500 government jobs annually. This has created a substantial deficit of around 67,500 jobs in the government sector, posing a major challenge for policymakers and prompting the state administration to develop a comprehensive and strategic plan to address this issue. At present, roughly 7,000 vacancies exist across various government departments and are under recruitment.

In response to this employment gap, the Meghalaya government has launched a career counselling programme designed to guide young people in exploring employment opportunities across 25 identified sectors, ranging from defence services and banking to engineering. This initiative aims to provide youth with information, guidance, and mentorship to help them make informed career choices and improve their employability in both government and private sectors. The Meghalaya State Skill Development Society (MSSDS) has been appointed as the nodal agency responsible for overseeing and implementing this programme. MSSDS will run the career counselling initiative through 34 centres spread across the state, staffed with trained advisers who will assist aspirants in career planning, preparation, and navigating the competitive job market.

Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma welcomed the programme but emphasized the need for additional support, or “handholding,” specifically for candidates preparing for defence sector positions. In response, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma affirmed that the programme has been designed to meet these needs, offering specialized guidance and structured preparation support for aspirants targeting various sectors, including defence, where the competition is intense and the preparation process rigorous.

The career counselling initiative is part of Meghalaya’s broader strategic framework under the state’s ‘Vision 2030’. As part of this vision, job opportunities across various sectors have been mapped, along with the investments required to create them. This sector-wise mapping is intended to guide policy planning, attract investment, and ensure that the state’s workforce is adequately prepared for emerging employment opportunities. The programme also seeks to link the aspirations of young people with concrete opportunities in both government and private employment sectors, bridging the gap between education, skill development, and job availability.

A key sector highlighted under Vision 2030 is tourism, which alone is projected to generate around 54,000 jobs in the coming years. This growth is expected to be supported by expansion in hospitality services, increased demand for drivers and support staff, and ancillary employment opportunities linked to tourism. By providing structured career guidance, the state aims to prepare youth to take advantage of these emerging opportunities, thereby contributing to the overall economic development of Meghalaya.

In conclusion, Meghalaya faces a substantial government job shortfall of around 67,500 positions, which has prompted the state to launch a comprehensive career counselling programme. Through the Meghalaya State Skill Development Society, the initiative provides guidance across 25 sectors with 34 centres staffed by trained advisers. Aligned with the state’s Vision 2030, the programme seeks to address skill gaps, link youth with employment opportunities, and ensure that aspirants are adequately prepared for both government and private sector roles. The tourism sector alone is expected to generate tens of thousands of new jobs, highlighting the long-term potential for economic growth and workforce development in the state. By combining strategic planning, skill development, and targeted guidance, the Meghalaya government aims to address the employment challenge while equipping its youth for future opportunities.