Vocational Training as a Psychological and Socioeconomic Lever: Empowering Marginalized Youth in Northeast India

Abstract

Vocational training offers a transformative pathway for marginalized youth in Northeast India, a region marked by ethnic diversity, geographic isolation, and socioeconomic disparities. This article examines its impact on socioeconomic conditions through an interdisciplinary lens, integrating theoretical frameworks—Amartya Sen’s capability approach, structural inequality theory, and empowerment theory—with socioeconomic analysis. Drawing on case studies and literature, it highlights how vocational training enhances employability, self-efficacy, and social inclusion while addressing intersectional challenges like gender, tribal identity, and access disparities. Despite its potential, limitations such as infrastructure gaps and cultural barriers persist. The article advocates for holistic and informed interventions to maximize impact, offering policy recommendations to empower Northeast India’s youth as agents of resilience and progress.