India’s IHCL Partners with Pragyan Foundation to Launch Hospitality Skills Programme in Uttarakhand

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IHCL Launches Project Unnati in Uttarakhand to Boost Youth Employment in India’s Hospitality Sector through a partnership with Pragyan TSPA Foundation. The initiative will provide career counselling, hospitality training and employability support to young people in Champawat district, helping them develop industry-relevant skills and access sustainable livelihood opportunities locally.

IHCL Introduces Project Unnati to Support Hospitality Careers

Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company by market capitalisation, has partnered with Pragyan TSPA Foundation to introduce Project Unnati, a youth development initiative in Uttarakhand.

The programme aims to improve employment opportunities by providing practical hospitality training, career guidance and professional development support.

The initiative will focus on young people from Lohaghat, Pati and Barakot blocks in Champawat district. These communities will benefit from training designed to meet the changing workforce requirements of India’s hospitality industry.

The partnership also reflects IHCL’s wider commitment to strengthening local economies through education, skills development and sustainable employment.

Project Unnati to Benefit 150 Young People in Champawat

Project Unnati will operate through the Pragyan TSPA Foundation centre in Lohaghat, Champawat.

Under the programme, 150 young people will receive career guidance, while 60 learners will participate in employability enhancement and hospitality skills training.

The initiative will focus on helping participants understand career opportunities, develop workplace skills and prepare for employment in the hospitality sector.

Career counselling will provide guidance on available professional pathways, while practical training will help learners develop skills aligned with industry expectations.

By bringing employment-focused education closer to local communities, the programme seeks to reduce barriers that young people may face when preparing for hospitality careers.

The initiative is particularly relevant to emerging tourism destinations, where a trained local workforce can support long-term economic development.

IHCL Strengthens Its Commitment to Inclusive Development

The partnership forms part of IHCL’s ESG+ framework, Paathya, which places environmental responsibility, social development and responsible business practices at the centre of its operations.

Prabhat Verma, Chief People Officer, IHCL, said the company remains committed to creating opportunities that improve livelihoods and encourage inclusive development.

“Guided by our ESG+ framework of Paathya, we are committed to creating opportunities that strengthen livelihoods and foster inclusive development. This partnership reflects that commitment by supporting youth with the skills, training and guidance needed to build careers in hospitality.”

The initiative demonstrates how hospitality businesses can contribute to workforce development beyond their hotel operations.

By investing in skills and employability, IHCL aims to help young people prepare for careers while supporting communities connected to India’s growing tourism economy.

Pragyan Foundation to Provide Local Training Support

Pragyan Technology and Social Policy Action Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation working across education, skills, health and livelihoods in Uttarakhand.

Its partnership with IHCL combines local community engagement with hospitality industry knowledge.

Raj Shekhar Joshi, President of Pragyan TSPA Foundation, highlighted the importance of providing young people with access to professional guidance and employment opportunities.

“Our young people are talented and hardworking, but they often lack the right guidance and opportunities. This MoU with IHCL will help them build skills and find good jobs in the hospitality sector,” he said.

The collaboration is intended to connect training opportunities with the practical requirements of hospitality employers.

It also aims to help participants build confidence and understand the skills needed to enter the workforce.

IHCL Targets 100,000 Skilled Youth by 2030

Project Unnati contributes to IHCL’s wider commitment to skill 100,000 young people by 2030 under its Paathya framework.

According to the company, more than 56,000 young people have received training through its skills development initiatives since 2020.

These programmes support employability across established tourism markets and emerging destinations.

IHCL’s expanding hospitality portfolio also highlights the importance of developing a workforce capable of supporting different hotel categories and service requirements.

The company currently has a portfolio of 670 hotels, including 280 in the development pipeline, across four continents, 15 countries and more than 300 locations.

Its hospitality brands include Taj, Claridges Collection, Brij, Atmantan, SeleQtions, Clarks, Gateway, Vivanta, Tree of Life and Ginger.

The company’s first hotel, The Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai, opened in 1903.

Hospitality Skills Development Supports Uttarakhand’s Tourism Economy

Uttarakhand’s tourism industry includes mountain destinations, pilgrimage centres, nature-based experiences and hospitality businesses serving domestic and international visitors.

Developing professional skills among local young people can help destinations strengthen service standards while creating new employment pathways.

Project Unnati seeks to support this objective by connecting community-based education with hospitality industry requirements.

Although the programme’s long-term employment outcomes remain to be seen, its emphasis on practical training and career counselling provides a foundation for improving workforce readiness.

The partnership also illustrates the role that established hotel groups can play in supporting skills development in smaller communities.

Conclusion (50 words)

IHCL’s Project Unnati marks another step towards strengthening hospitality employment opportunities in Uttarakhand. By combining industry-focused training with local community support, the partnership aims to improve career readiness among young people. The initiative also advances IHCL’s wider goal of training 100,000 youth by 2030 under its Paathya framework.