Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company, is continuing its efforts towards inclusive growth by expanding its skilling and employability initiatives across the country, with a strong focus on Jammu & Kashmir (J&K). The move highlights the company’s aim to support tourism while creating meaningful employment opportunities for local youth.

Mr. Gaurav Pokhariyal, Executive Vice President – Human Resources, IHCL, said:

“At IHCL, we believe that skilling is a powerful catalyst for employment generation and social transformation. Our focused initiatives in Jammu & Kashmir are aimed at empowering youth with industry relevant skills, enabling them to build sustainable careers in hospitality. By fostering partnerships and creating accessible training ecosystems, we are committed to uplifting communities and contributing to the region’s long-term development.”

Under its ESG+ framework of Paathya, IHCL is working towards its goal of upskilling 100,000 youth by 2030. As part of this effort, the company has expanded its skilling network to 83 centres across India, especially in emerging destinations where tourism potential is high but access to structured training has been limited. So far, IHCL has trained over 42,000 youth, addressing the growing need for skilled professionals in the hospitality sector.

In Jammu & Kashmir, IHCL has taken several steps to create strong local opportunities. The company has partnered with REACHA, with support from the Indian Army, to set up a skill centre in Uri, offering specialised training programmes. It has also worked with Tata STRIVE to train youth in Baramulla and Kupwara, focusing on bakery and food & beverage services that match local job opportunities.

Adding to this, IHCL has collaborated with IIT Jammu to develop structured training programmes that combine academic learning with industry exposure. These initiatives are designed to prepare a future-ready workforce while also contributing to the region’s socio-economic growth.

With its growing network of 83 skilling centres, IHCL continues to invest in talent development across more than 21 states in India, including New Delhi, Bihar, Assam, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Karnataka, and Jammu & Kashmir. Through these efforts, the company is not only supporting the hospitality sector but also helping build stronger communities through skill development and employment.