The Department of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (SDE), Honda India Foundation, and Visan Foundation have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch a hospitality sector skilling program for the youth of Arunachal Pradesh. The MoU was signed today at the Civil Secretariat as part of a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative aimed at fostering skill development and creating employment opportunities for local youth.

Under the three-year agreement, Honda India Foundation and Visan Foundation will provide free training in the hospitality sector, while the SDE Department will assist in mobilizing candidates. The program will be rolled out in two phases, with each batch comprising 35 trainees undergoing two months of training in Itanagar and Tawang. Upon successful completion, trainees will receive a National Council of Vocational Training (NCVT) recognized certificate and will be offered placements at established hotels and resorts both within and outside the state. In addition, trainees will receive stipends during the training period, funded by the SDE Department.

The MoU was signed by Tom Ratan, Director of the SDE Department, Vinay Dhingra, Trustee of Honda India Foundation, and Sangeeta Ranjit, Managing Trustee of Visan Foundation. The ceremony was attended by SDE Commissioner Saugat Biswas, Secretary Bullo Mamu, and other key officials.

SDE Commissioner Saugat Biswas emphasized the importance of the program, citing Arunachal Pradesh’s expanding tourism sector and the growing demand for skilled hospitality professionals. The program will begin in Itanagar and Tawang, with plans to extend to other districts in the coming phases. The initiative is open to all youth in Arunachal Pradesh aged 18 and above.