Dimapur, May 26: In an effort to prepare future educators, mentors, and community leaders to respond effectively to the needs of young people, the first-year philosophy students of Salesian College, Dimapur, completed a two-week Skill Development Programme at AIDA, Dimapur.
The programme, held from May 26, brought together a range of training modules designed to equip the participants with practical life skills, leadership abilities, health awareness, and community-development competencies that can be applied in their future work with youth and marginalized communities.
Organized under the guidance of Fr. Dr. Roy, Director of AIDA, and Fr. Elow Samuel, Rector of Salesian College, Dimapur, the initiative reflected a growing emphasis on experiential learning and skill-based formation alongside academic studies.
The programme began with an orientation to AIDA’s development initiatives, followed by sessions on personality development, leadership, communication skills, and responsible citizenship. These sessions encouraged participants to understand the challenges faced by young people and develop the capacity to guide and support them effectively.
Health and well-being formed another important component of the training. Participants attended awareness sessions on personal hygiene and preventive healthcare and underwent basic health screenings, including blood pressure and blood sugar checks.
A major focus of the programme was livelihood-oriented skill development. Through hands-on training in mushroom cultivation, participants learned sustainable agricultural practices that can serve as income-generating opportunities for rural youth. A field visit to Third Mile exposed them to innovative waste-management systems and the use of Black Soldier Fly (BSF) technology for organic waste recycling, highlighting environmentally sustainable solutions with community-level applications.
Training in detergent production introduced participants to small-scale entrepreneurship and self-employment possibilities that can be shared with young people seeking livelihood opportunities. Creative workshops on making pen holders and reusable plastic bags encouraged innovation, resourcefulness, and the productive use of locally available materials.
The programme also included basic electrical training, enabling participants to acquire practical maintenance and safety skills that can be useful in educational institutions, community centres, and rural development settings.
Recognizing the importance of holistic development, daily basketball coaching sessions promoted teamwork, discipline, leadership, physical fitness, and sportsmanship—qualities considered essential when working with young people.
The training concluded with a thanksgiving gathering in which participants expressed appreciation to the trainers, staff members, and organizers who contributed to the success of the programme.
Speaking about the significance of the initiative, organizers noted that today’s youth workers and educators require more than academic qualifications; they need practical skills, social awareness, and the ability to introduce young people to sustainable livelihoods and community-development opportunities.
The two-week programme demonstrated how skill-based training can prepare future Salesians to become effective mentors and facilitators of youth development. By combining leadership formation, entrepreneurship, environmental awareness, health education, and technical skills, the initiative sought to equip them to guide young people toward productive, self-reliant, and socially responsible futures.
Br. Panmei Somrei Titus