IGNOU Institute for Vocational Education and Training (IIVET) became operational in Shillong with the twin objectives of:

• Identifying and developing need-based relevant vocational programmes and training the educated youth in various skills that would enhance opportunities for gainful employment
• Identifying, preserving and promoting indigenous knowledge and technology in the North-East states.

Vocational training programmes are being conducted for the youth, women and tribal population covering Ayurvedic Therapy, Production and Post-Production of Lakadong Turmeric, Soil and Water Conservation, Multi-Skills Development, Mobile Repair, Accounting, Masonry, Electrical Wiring, Trauma Management,  Community Radio and Conversational English, among others.

IIVET targets school drop-outs, street children, unemployed youth, farmers and domestic workers for its short-term training programmes. It focusing on Community Centres/Common Service Centres in the North-East for a holistic combination of vocational training and IT training, modelling it on the Telecentre lines.

Under its mandate for preserving and promoting indigenous knowledge and technology in the N-E region, IIVET conducts training programmes at regular intervals for grassroot audio technicians in the disability sector and also in the natural dye technology sector. Workshops for schoolteachers on folk theatre of the North-East have been organised. IIVET is in collaboration with several government and non-government organisations for joint training programmes.

 Link to alternate website : www.iivetshillong.org