On the occasion of World Youth Skills Day, the Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) has announced a strategic partnership with Tata Community Initiatives Trust (TCIT) – Tata STRIVE and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation Limited (ANIIDCO) to strengthen hospitality workforce development across the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The initiative aims to enhance employability, service standards and sustainable livelihood opportunities while supporting the long-term growth of the region’s tourism sector.
The collaboration will begin with a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) programme that will certify and upskill 250 hospitality professionals working across hotels, restaurants, resorts and allied establishments. The programme will be implemented in Sri Vijayapuram, Swaraj Dweep and Shaheed Dweep, covering key hospitality disciplines including Front Office Management, Food & Beverage Service, Housekeeping, Kitchen Operations, Multi-Cuisine Cooking, Bakery and Guest House Operations.
Under the partnership, Tata STRIVE will lead training delivery, assessment and certification, while IHCL will contribute its hospitality expertise and operational knowledge from its presence in the islands. ANIIDCO, the tourism and infrastructure development enterprise of the Andaman & Nicobar Administration, will support the initiative to strengthen the Union Territory’s tourism ecosystem through a skilled workforce.
The initiative forms part of IHCL’s ESG+ framework, Paathya, which is committed to skilling 100,000 youth by 2030. Since 2020, the company has established more than 80 skilling centres across India and trained over 49,000 young people, creating employment opportunities in both established and emerging tourism destinations.
As India’s hospitality industry continues its rapid expansion, the collaboration reinforces the importance of industry-led vocational training in building a future-ready workforce. By combining government support, skill development and hospitality expertise, the partnership is expected to strengthen tourism while creating meaningful career opportunities for youth across the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
