(By Ibalarishisha Syiem)
Shillong || As Meghalaya witnesses a construction boom, from residential areas and hospitals to eco-tourism resorts, one question continues to dominate conversations in the sector: who is building the state’s future, and are they equipped to do it well?
As Meghalaya’s skyline slowly transforms with new schools, resorts, and tourism infrastructure, the construction industry faces a complex mix of opportunity and challenge. At a recent panel discussion titled “From Bamboo to Bricks: Skilling Youth for Resilient Infrastructure and Overseas Jobs” organised by the Meghalaya State Skill Development Society (MSSDS), experts and practitioners weighed in on how the state can build a stronger foundation by investing in skills and sustainable practices.
Construction remains one of the largest informal sectors in Meghalaya. Thousands enter it every year without any formal training, technical knowledge, or safety orientation. They often pick up work on a daily wage basis while being unskilled, unprotected, and underpaid.
Bah Michael Thongni, who works closely with infrastructure projects under NeIPS, didn’t sugar-coat it. “A majority of our workers are not trained. They take up work because there’s nothing else, and because of that, they earn very little – ₹300, maybe ₹500 a day,” he said. “But the moment someone gets certified as a mason or electrician, their value shoots up. They start earning ₹1,200 to ₹1,500 a day, sometimes even more.”
This wage gap shows just how much untapped potential exists in the sector. It’s also why the government is focusing on training and certification. “We have building centres in Jowai, Shillong and Tura under the KfW programme,” said Henrick Sangma, Executive Engineer at the Urban Affairs Department. “But more awareness is needed. People still don’t know these options exist.”
According to contractor Vedant Jhunjhunwala, this lack of skilled labour is already affecting ongoing projects. “There’s a huge demand for good workers like masons, builders etc., especially with tourism infrastructure expanding. But most of the workforce has to be brought in from outside the state,” he said. “If we had local, trained youth, we could meet that demand ourselves.”
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Architect Nathaniel Cajee added that it’s not just about filling jobs, but about building better. “Meghalaya has its own weather patterns, its own soil, and its own architecture. You can’t just copy designs from elsewhere,” he said. “Take Sohra, for example, houses there are built with double walls to withstand the rain.” You need to understand the land to design properly.
There was also a strong focus on sustainable materials like bamboo, which grows abundantly in the region but is underused due to lack of technical know-how. “Bamboo can be the backbone of green construction here, but it needs to be treated and used properly,” Cajee said. “If our youth are trained, they can revive this traditional craft while creating eco-friendly structures.”
While green construction is often assumed to be expensive, Jhunjhunwala noted that with smart design, costs can stay within reach. “In the western parts of India, full bamboo resorts are considered luxury. If we can build that skill here, Meghalaya can become a leader in sustainable tourism infrastructure,” he added.
Earlier delivering the keynote address, Chief Engineer of State Sports Council Meghalaya Bibat Syiem spoke at length about the need to encourage the local youth to diversify and adapt to the changing workforce demography. He reiterated that youths should be ready to be trained and gather experience from institutes outside the state and come back to the state as skilled individuals. .
Construction, though largely part of the informal sector, has the potential to become one of the biggest employment generators in Meghalaya, provided that people are equipped with the right skills and tools to grow. For the state to move forward, there is an urgent need to build a strong and skilled local workforce. This effort is not just about addressing current demands in areas like construction, tourism, and infrastructure, but also about shaping a future that reflects the identity, values, and potential of Meghalaya. Achieving this will require proper training and greater awareness among the youth about the various vocational training institutes across India that offer courses tailored for construction workers and other skilled trades. With the right support and opportunities, the people of Meghalaya can take charge of building their own future, one grounded in local knowledge and strengthened by modern skills.
