In a significant step toward empowering youth through vocational education, Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), the country’s leading hospitality group, has partnered with the Uttarakhand Government’s SETU Aayog to establish a dedicated hospitality skill centre in Nainital. The initiative aims to bridge the gap between talent and opportunity in the state’s fast-growing tourism sector.
This new centre forms part of IHCL’s ESG+ initiative, Paathya, which focuses on inclusive growth through sustainability, community development, and skill-building. With an existing network of 53 skill centres, IHCL has committed to training over 100,000 individuals by 2030. The Nainital centre alone aims to train more than 500 youth from the region over the next three years.
The programme will offer comprehensive training in areas such as Food & Beverage Service, Front Office operations, and Kitchen management. It includes classroom learning, hands-on industry exposure, and on-the-job internships. In addition, hostel facilities will be provided to ensure accessibility for students coming from remote parts of the state.
Gaurav Pokhariyal, Executive Vice President of IHCL, emphasized the potential of Uttarakhand as a tourism powerhouse. He noted that the centre will help the youth of the region acquire skills aligned with industry demands, thereby enabling them to tap into the growing hospitality sector both within and outside the state.
This project is a collaborative effort involving several stakeholders. Tata STRIVE will serve as the implementation partner, while Kumaun University will provide the physical infrastructure. The Uttarakhand Skill Development Society and the Department of Higher Education will support the centre through policy guidance and funding.
Raj Shekhar Joshi, Vice Chairman of SETU Aayog, welcomed the partnership, stating that it aligns well with the state’s goals of fostering job creation through skill development. He added that such initiatives are crucial in integrating academic institutions with industry-led training models.
Ameya Vanjari, COO of Tata STRIVE, added that the partnership will not only offer career opportunities to youth in the region but will also contribute to overall regional development.
With this initiative, IHCL and the Uttarakhand Government are setting a strong precedent for public-private partnerships in skilling. The Nainital centre is poised to play a key role in enhancing employability, strengthening local economies, and supporting the hospitality industry’s continued growth in India.
