Imphal: A one-day career counselling programme was organised by the Model Career Centre (MCC) under the Directorate of Employment, Ibotonsana Girls Higher Secondary School on Monday.
The programme was conducted under the initiative of the National Career Service (NCS), which aims to provide a one-stop solution for employment and career-related services to citizens across the country.
Thongam Sobash Singh, additional director of Directorate of Employment, emphasised the growing importance of career awareness and the need for structured guidance among today’s youth. He highlighted the objectives of NCS Scheme and MCC’s in empowering students and job seekers by providing access to employment opportunities, skill development programmes, and professional counselling services.
He encouraged everyone to take advantage of the Employment Exchange Card and informed the students about its benefits, urging them to register themselves. He mentioned that there are 17 of Employment Exchange Complex in Imphal and 407 MCCs established across India.
Sobash Singh further stressed the government’s commitment to tackling unemployment by strengthening career outreach programmes, enhancing digital job-matching platforms, and aligning education and skill development.
Resource person Th. Bonbihari Singh elaborated on various career paths, preparation strategies, and support systems available through government initiatives. During the session, he gave insights on two essential tools for career planning, the SWOT analysis, assessing one’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats and the SMART goals, underlining Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound methods which will facilitate the students for personal and academic growth.
He encouraged students to identify their strengths and weakness as a step towards self- improvement and goal setting.
M. Kheroda Devi, Principal of Ibotonsana Girls’ Higher Secondary School, teaching staff and students attended the programme, which served as a vital platform for bridging the gap between youth aspirations and career opportunities.
The MCC, Imphal West, established under the NCS Scheme, is one of 407 such centers across India dedicated to empowering youth. It plays a vital role in guiding job seekers by organising outreach programmes, career counselling sessions in educational institutions, and large-scale job fairs. A remarkable example of its impact was the successful organisation of a Mega Job Fair on December 28, 2022, at the Employment Exchange Complex, Lamphelpat, said a government statement.
