July 15 is observed as World Youth Skills Day with an aim to emphasise upon skilling the youth with the contemporary skills to empower them and promote economic development. With the advent of generative AI and other technologies, a lot of traditional jobs are facing existential crisis. Amid this, it is important to ensure that there is a workforce which is skilled and ready to work in the new environment using new technologies.
On this Youth Skills day, let us look at the top CSR initiatives that are working towards skilling the youth.
HDFC Parivartan
HDFC Bank has imparted skill training, covering high-demand sectors like IT/ITeS, healthcare and manufacturing, to about 3.25 lakh youth in the last 10 years under its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative. Skill development and livelihood enhancement is a key focus area of the bank’s Parivartan programme, its umbrella brand for all CSR initiatives. The bank is currently working on over 100 projects in the area of Skill Development across different states, covering multiple sectors, including IT/ITeS, retail, healthcare, manufacturing, and agriculture.
HDFC Bank Parivartan’s youth training programmes since 2014 are addressing gaps in equipping young people with essential skills, knowledge, and competencies to thrive in today’s dynamic job market. These training programmes come with certifications from the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), Sector Skill Council, or other qualified non-government agencies, and offer targeted training to prepare youth for successful careers and entrepreneurial ventures in key industries.
“Our Parivartan training programmes are designed not only to provide vocational skills linked with market demands but also to instill confidence and ambition in young minds,” HDFC Bank Head of CSR Nusrat Pathan said.
By collaborating with partners and focusing on sectors with high growth potential, the bank is committed to bridging the skills gap and creating a robust and inclusive workforce for the future, she added.
‘Climate Skills – Seeds for Transition’ Project
British Council in partnership with HSBC India, launched the “Climate Skills: Seeds for Transition India” project. This initiative aims to equip young people and communities in India with the skills needed to be resilient to the impending impact of climate change and to contribute to the opportunities of the transition to net zero.
The programme is part of British Council’s long-term international effort to establish a global climate skills approach that empowers youth, informs decision-makers about alternative climate education strategies, and addresses grassroots, national, and global climate challenges. It seeks to go beyond discussion and partner with governments, communities, and institutions to create tangible solutions for the future generation to better understand the impact of climate change across all aspects of life and equip them with the necessary skills needed in the wake of climate change.
The project works with young people aged 18-30 in five countries including India, Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico and Vietnam.
Scott McDonald, Chief Executive, British Council said, “At the British Council, we are committed to empowering young people with the skillsand knowledge necessary to tackle the pressing challenges of climate change. Our partnership with HSBC on the ‘Climate Skills—Seeds for Transition India’ project reflects our shared vision of a more sustainable future. By equipping youth with essential climate resilience skills, they can lead the transition to greener economies and drive positive change in their communities. These skills are increasingly critical as we consider projections for the life of our planet and its natural resources.”
Speaking on the partnership, Hitendra Dave, Chief Executive Officer, HSBC India, said, “We have a long history of collaboration with the British Council and the co-creation of programmes that help achieve a larger social purpose. Our partnership on the Climate Skills programme will focus on youth and education, reflecting our joint commitment in equipping the younger generation to understand and adapt to climate change. Together, we aim to improve climate literacy and employability among marginalized youth communities in India.”
Running from July 2024 to February 2026, the project aims to raise awareness among key stakeholders, including government institutions, policymakers, higher educational institutions, and young people, encouraging participation and engagement. It seeks to directly engage 2,000 youth and train 300 master trainers in India/in each delivery country.
The initiative highlights the British Council’s leadership in climate action and its upcoming global climate change strategy. This UK-led international collaboration aims to resource local organisations, empower youth to take climate action, and provide alternative climate education approaches. A unique aspect of the programme is its focus on empowering both urban and rural youth by integrating youth-led social action with climate education. The programme’s international connectivity aims to deliver locally led interventions and connects them with a global network across five countries.
Generation Green Campaign
The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and OPPO India announced ‘Generation Green’ campaign. The 100-day programme—managed by 1M1B (One Million for One Billion)—promotes green skills among the youth through 5,000 internship opportunities across colleges in India.
Students from all streams, technical and non-technical, can participate in this internship program. The interns will undertake a range of hands-on activities that will inculcate their skills in project management, sustainability practices, effective communication, collaboration, research, and data analysis, enhancing their overall employability. Students will take the Green Pledge and participate in awareness sessions, E-surveys, and Green Day celebrations.
These efforts aim to increase environmental awareness and promote sustainable practices among students. All Interns who complete the programme’s activities will receive certificates jointly accredited by AICTE, OPPO India, and 1M1B.
Skill Development Initiative by NIIT Foundation and Angel One
India, home to one of the world’s largest – and youngest – workforce continues to face persistent challenges of finding their desired jobs. Despite the rise and growth of significant industries such as Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI), and Information Technology (IT), among others, most of the country’s workforce struggles to achieve their desired jobs.
Addressing the need to bridge the skill gap, NIIT Foundation, in collaboration with Angel One has initiated a joint program aimed at providing training enhancing employability skills tailored to the industries’ needs. Central to their mission is the recognition that children/youth hailing from underprivileged communities often face limited access to essential resources, thereby leading to unequitable access to opportunities.
Launched in 2022, the collaborative initiative provides free-of-cost online courses to students aged between 18 and 28 years old, focusing on BFSI and BPO segments. Using a multifaceted approach by combining self-learning and instructor-led training modules through a Learning Management System (LMS), the program is catered to enable beneficiaries – often belonging to underserved communities – for developing employable skills, including functional English, basic IT knowledge, and sectoral proficiencies, thereby enhancing their employability prospects.
Since its inception, the program has witnessed a significant participation from female beneficiaries, with 58% female enrolments as compared to their male counterparts. Simultaneously, 71% of the total candidates (3,474 beneficiaries) successfully received placement in organizations such as Quess Corp, C-Tech, Findrive Services, HDB Financial, and DBS Mintek Pvt Ltd – demonstrating the project’s efficacy in equipping young individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to secure employment.
The impact of this program reaches far and wide, across various states and territories such as Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi NCR, and Karnataka. With the enrolment phase commenced in April 2024, the program is geared towards enhancing the skills and employability prospects of 3,750 youth from underprivileged backgrounds.
