Mumbai, April 23: Reinforcing its commitment to inclusive growth and nation building, Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company, continues to expand its skilling and employability initiatives across the country, with a focused push in Jammu & Kashmir.
Gaurav Pokhariyal, Executive Vice President – Human Resources, IHCL, said that skilling plays a vital role in driving employment and social transformation. He emphasized that IHCL’s initiatives in Jammu & Kashmir aim to equip youth with industry-relevant skills, enabling them to build sustainable careers in hospitality while contributing to regional development.
Driving Inclusive Growth Through Skilling
Under its ESG+ framework Paathya and its goal to upskill 100,000 youth by 2030, IHCL has been actively working to create livelihood opportunities by providing structured hospitality training. The company has expanded its skilling infrastructure to 83 centres across India, focusing on emerging and underserved regions with high tourism potential.
To date, IHCL has trained over 42,000 youth nationwide, addressing the increasing demand for skilled professionals in the hospitality sector.
Focus on Jammu & Kashmir
With a strong regional focus, IHCL has undertaken several initiatives to empower local youth in Jammu & Kashmir. The company has partnered with REACHA, supported by the Indian Army, to establish a skill centre in Uri offering specialised training programmes.
Additionally, IHCL has collaborated with Tata STRIVE to train youth in Baramulla and Kupwara in bakery and food & beverage services aligned with local employment opportunities.
Further strengthening its efforts, IHCL has partnered with Indian Institute of Technology Jammu to design structured programmes that blend academic learning with practical industry exposure.
Building a Future-Ready Workforce
These initiatives are designed to create a future-ready workforce while supporting socio-economic development in the region. By fostering partnerships and enabling access to quality training, IHCL is helping build sustainable employment pathways for youth.
Expanding Nationwide Impact
IHCL continues to invest in developing talent pools across more than 21 states in India, including New Delhi, Bihar, Assam, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Karnataka, and Jammu & Kashmir. Through its growing network of skilling centres, the company remains committed to empowering communities and supporting the growth of India’s tourism and hospitality ecosystem.
