India needs future-ready skills to stay competitive in the global job market and leverage its demographic dividend. With the country’s youthful population and growing economy, investing in skills like artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, and green technologies can drive innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth.

July 15 is observed as World Youth Skills Day with an aim to emphasize 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.

Let us look at the top CSR initiatives that are working towards skilling the youth.

Boeing India and Wilton Weavers to Strengthen Aerospace Skilling

Boeing India has announced a partnership with Indian supply chain partner Wilton Weavers that is helping build a skilled workforce as part of India’s growing aerospace manufacturing ecosystem. The Boeing India supply chain skilling initiative, Kaushal, and the Wilton Weavers’ Ameyaa program will come together to provide opportunities to people from disadvantaged backgrounds including those with disabilities, to join mainstream aviation manufacturing jobs. The partnership will advance supplier capability and is a model that can be replicated across the aerospace industry.

The Wilton Weavers’ Ameyaa program brings women with disabilities into carpet manufacturing through training and stable employment. By adding on the Boeing Kaushal skilling program, their skills are being further enhanced to meet global aerospace standards for aviation carpet manufacturing, which involves high precision and stringent quality and safety standards to be met.

Reliance Foundation skills over 3 lakh youths

At the 21st Century Skills Conclave in January 2026, Reliance Foundation marked a major milestone of reaching over 12 lakh people, with 3 lakh+ youth skilled and 1.8 lakh+ youth finding employment. With industry leaders, skilling practitioners, and young leaders, the Conclave deliberated on India’s evolving skills landscape and the future of work while celebrating journeys of youth who have transitioned from learning to earning. With keynote addresses, panel discussions, fireside conversations, and first-hand accounts from youth navigating the world of jobs, it was an effort to accelerate skilling and employment in line with India’s Skill India mission.

HCL Foundation and Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation to empower rural youth

HCL Foundation, which drives the corporate social responsibility agenda of global technology company HCL Tech in India, and the Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation (TNSDC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to upskill rural youth in the Vilathikulam and Pudur blocks of Thoothukudi district with digital technologies and allied skills.

The partnership aims to provide training and placement support to 2,500 youth from 95 village panchayats over the next 36 months. The program will establish innovative employment models, including setting up micro workspaces at block headquarters to facilitate remote job opportunities in the IT and ITES sectors. A comprehensive placement tracking system will ensure that skill development translates into sustainable employment opportunities.

CSR of Toyota Kirloskar Motor to Strengthen Skilling Across ITIs in Maharashtra

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Maharashtra to jointly develop a structured and scalable skilling ecosystem across the state by strengthening Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs). The collaboration is a testament to Toyota’s commitment to drive inclusive growth by aligning industrial expansion with skill-based empowerment.

This initiative is closely aligned with TKM’s philosophy of strengthening local manufacturing eco-system, generating employment opportunities, and advancing green mobility. Furthermore, it reinforces TKM’s broader vision of nurturing a future-ready talent pool to meet the evolving needs of the automotive industry.

The program will be rolled out in phases to ensure maximum impact:

Phase 1 (2025–26): Focus on 16 ITIs in the Marathwada and Nagpur divisions
Phase 2 (2026–28): Expansion into Amravati and Nashik divisions
Phase 3 (2029–30): Coverage of institutes in Mumbai and Pune divisions

By 2030, the initiative aims to support the development of 45 ITIs across 36 districts and will enhance employability for thousands of young aspirants across Maharashtra.

Honda CSR Project Buniyaad to Skill Youth for Hospitality Industry in Sikkkim

Honda India Foundation (HIF), the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of all Honda group of companies in India recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Directorate of Craftsmanship Training & Scheme (DCTSE), Skill Development Department (SDD), Government of Sikkim. The MoU marks the launch of Project Buniyaad in Sikkim under the World Bank-supported Sikkim INSPIRES Programme.

This collaborative effort aims to deliver structured, industry-oriented training in the hospitality sector, certifications by recognized agencies and assured placement opportunities for youth. The initiative is designed to drive sustainable livelihood opportunities through skill-based learning. As Sikkim celebrated 50 years of statehood, the signing of this MoU also adds to the significance of this year’s World Youth Skills Day celebration, reinforcing the role of partnerships in building a future ready and skilled workforce for long-term development.

Launched in 2024, Project Buniyaad aims to empower youth, particularly from National Priority Regions (NPR) like the Northeast and Jammu & Kashmir, by providing high-quality hospitality training. This initiative addresses regional challenges, enhances employability, and fosters sustainable livelihoods, contributing to inclusive growth and economic development. The launch of Project Buniyaad in Sikkim adds to its growing footprint and further highlights HIF’s continued focus on creating inclusive impact through skill-based interventions in partnerships with state governments.

NMDC’s Skill Development Programme for Tribal Youth from Chhattisgarh

NMDC, India’s largest iron ore producer, has launched a transformative skill development initiative under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, aimed at empowering 500 tribal youth from the Bastar and Dantewada districts of Chhattisgarh.

In collaboration with the Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering and Technology (CIPET), Hyderabad, NMDC will fully sponsor technical education in plastics and polymer technology covering tuition, training, lodging, and other associated costs.

Training is imparted on the courses mentioned below –
1. Machine Operator – NSQF Level IV Certification
2. Diploma in Plastics Technology Course and Plastics Mould Technology Course:
3. Post Graduate Diploma in Plastics Processing & Testing

ACC Limited and Adani Foundation skilling youth and women

ACC, the cement and building material company of Adani group, in collaboration with the Adani Foundation, continues to uplift rural youth in Jharkhand through the Adani Skill Development Centre in Chaibasa. With a focus on practical, job-ready skills, ASDC is enabling youth to overcome barriers and build sustainable careers.

ACC and Adani Foundation are also enabling rural women in Uttar Pradesh to build brighter futures through focused skill training at the Adani Skill Development Centre in ACC Tikaria. With a vision to create long-term, inclusive impact, women are being equipped with practical skills, digital literacy, and employment-linked training that opens doors to sustainable livelihoods.

CSR of Axis Bank to skill youths in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Haryana

Axis Bank Foundation (ABF) and Medha recently announced a four-year partnership to equip 16,000 youth from Tier 2 and 3 cities across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Haryana with core employability, technical, and vocational skills that are relevant across diverse industries and emerging sectors. The initiative aims to prepare the youth, irrespective of their background, for an evolving job market by strengthening the local ecosystem, building confidence, providing workplace exposure, and providing access to income-generating opportunities with sustained professional support.

With a planned outreach of 9,600 youth in Uttar Pradesh, 4,800 in Haryana, and 1,600 in Bihar, the programme aims to support their long-term career growth with the tools, skills, and access needed to contribute productively to the economy and grow in their chosen fields with resilience and clarity. Medha will leverage its formal partnerships with state education systems and community-based organisations (CBOs) to deepen outreach across peri-urban areas and strengthen youth engagement.

Additionally, this initiative will engage students from government colleges, polytechnics, and vocational institutions. A blended delivery model—anchored by campus-based Career Service Centres, virtual learning platforms, and WhatsApp communities, will offer mentoring, counselling, and continuous learning aligning with youth aspirations and real-world opportunities.

CSR of FedEx to train youth in AI, Cloud Computing, Cyber Security

Transportation company FedEx Express in collaboration with nonprofit organizations, has supported the training of over 1,500 young individuals in fields such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, supply chain management, and warehouse operations. The curriculum combines technical instruction with job readiness, communication, and workplace skills to support the transition from learning to earning.

“India’s youth represent a critical strategic advantage; empowering them with industry-relevant skills is essential to driving the nation’s economic growth,” said Nitin Navneet Tatiwala, vice president, marketing, customer experience, and air network, FedEx, Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, and Africa. “We’re committed to equipping young individuals with practical, real-world experience that prepares them to seize opportunities and help shape the future.”

To date, nearly 930 youth have secured employment through these programs, with roles spanning technology, healthcare, logistics, retail, and e-commerce. Starting salaries range between ₹13,000 and ₹18,000 per month, with some earning packages upto ₹30,000.

Delivered under the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF), the programs combine classroom instruction with practical exposure, life skills, and mentorship. Over 60% of participants have been women, many entering the formal workforce for the first time. The initiative aligns with national priorities around employability, digital skilling, and inclusive economic growth.

CSR of Standard Chartered

Standard Chartered, under its flagship community initiative Futuremakers, has announced its partnership with Sambhav Foundation to equip 5,160 young Indians with cutting-edge skills in emerging sectors. The initiative focuses on specialised training in – Electric Vehicles (EV), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity, and Data Analytics — industries that are shaping the jobs of tomorrow.

The three-year project, which has just commenced, has been rolled out across centres in Noida, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Tinsukia (Doom Dooma, Assam), with a strong emphasis on preparing youth for sustainable, high-demand career opportunities. The programme also offers job placement support, ensuring that participants can seamlessly transition into meaningful employment in these sectors.

As India emerges as a global hub for technology and green innovation, addressing the skills gap is essential to ensure that the youth are job-ready rather than merely job-seeking. Initiatives focused on such skill development in high-growth areas like EV and AI are therefore crucial. By equipping them with relevant, in-demand skills, especially in major economic centres, such initiatives not only meet immediate workforce needs but also drive long-term, inclusive economic growth.

This initiative marks Standard Chartered’s renewal of its existing partnership with Sambhav Foundation to equip underserved youth with employable skills. In the earlier phase, 2,280 individuals were trained in sectors such as BFSI, Tally, and Data Analysis. Similarly, the Bank, late last year, had signed another partnership with GTT foundation to train 613 youth across Karnataka, Delhi, Maharashtra and West Bengal in the EV sector.

CSR of Cairn Oil & Gas

Cairn Oil & Gas, an oil and gas exploration and production company by Vedanta Group, has been undertaking programmes to bridge the skill gap in India by nurturing young talent and preparing them for a brighter future and a dynamic job market. The company has provided skill-based training programs to nearly 25,000 Youth across its operational areas enabling thousands of them to become entrepreneurs and many others to gain employment.

Through its two dedicated training centres in Rajasthan – Cairn Enterprise Centre (CEC) in Barmer and Cairn Centre of Excellence (CCOE) in Jodhpur – Cairn has been driving skill development through vocational programs focused on enhancing employability, entrepreneurship and generating sustainable livelihoods for youth. To date, the company has successfully trained over 20,000 youth from the region, across 15 sectors and 35 job roles through its Barmer Hub Center and 56 spoke centres.

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.

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This endeavour builds upon the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between Mondelez India and NSDC in November 2023, aimed at empowering 660 young people across Pune and Bhind. The initiative is an extension of Mondelez India’s national CSR program, Shubh Aarambh, which has positively impacted the lives of 100,000 beneficiaries over the last ten years through various initiatives, including youth skilling.

Ms. Ophira Bhatia, Senior Director, India & Lead, India & Lead, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, Corporate & Government Affairs – Mondelēz International, stated, “Over the decade, through Shubh Aarambh, our national CSR program, we have empowered nearly 1000 young individuals with our youth skilling programs. The commencement of the youth skilling program at Bhind and Pune, in collaboration with NSDC, marks a significant stride in our continuous endeavour to empower India’s youth. Through our association with NSDC and leveraging expert partnerships, we aim to provide training and unlock avenues to real career prospects. Our objective is to foster a sustainable positive impact by equipping young people with the necessary skills to thrive in today’s job market and contribute to their local economies.”

Sharing her insights on the initiative, Dr. Archana Patankar, Vice President, Research & Impact, NSDC stated, “On World Youth Skills Day, we are proud to celebrate the commencement of our youth skilling programs at our two skilling centers in Bhind and Pune, in collaboration with Mondelez India. This initiative reflects our commitment to equipping young individuals with industry-relevant skills, enhancing their employability, and contributing to local economies. By providing targeted training in key sectors such as management, hospitality, retail, IT-ITeS, and logistics, we are bridging the skills gap and opening doors to meaningful career opportunities. Together, we are building a future-ready workforce that can thrive in a dynamic global market.”

The candidates will be trained in sectors such as management, hospitality & tourism, retail, IT-ITeS, and logistics, that have been identified based on job assessments and skill related demands from local industries and job markets. In Bhind, more than 300 candidates will receive training for roles in security, retail, front office, etc. Simultaneously, in Pune, over 300 candidates will receive training for roles in office, documentation, customer care, etc.

The training will encompass Short-Term Training (STT) using Qualification Pack (QP)- led training modules specifically designed for the job roles in the identified sectors. The candidates will receive training in soft skills and skill orientation on respective job roles, tools, and work methodology. It will be followed by assessment, certification, and connecting the candidates to employment opportunities.

The project will leverage NSDC’s skilling ecosystem, which includes training partners, assessment partners, and others. The training partners will be responsible for mobilising youth, forming and initiating training batches, setting up training premises, conducting training modules, facilitating third-party assessments, and organising placement drives for certified candidates.

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Under the collaboration UNICEF – YuWaah – SAP will strengthen the following:

– Improve digital skills and life skills for young people

– Provide young people with career options.

– Reimagine the model in other states with the Government of India

– Impacting one million young people by the end of 2022

Young people living in rural areas are particularly vulnerable when it comes to career and employability opportunities due to limited access to information, training, opportunities or the skills to participate fully in India’s modernizing technology-driven economy. The national aggregate on learner-computer ratio is reported to be 1:89, suggesting an inequitable access in rural schools. Evidence suggests that technology solutions can be optimized better to address poor learning levels, low retention rates, poor life-skills, and gender inclusion.

“Quality education and digital inclusion have never been more important. COVID-19 has exposed the fragility of access to education and this couldn’t be more relevant to India which has the highest number of young people,” said Alexandra van der Ploeg, Head of CSR at SAP. “Together with UNICEF in support of the UN’s Generation Unlimited initiative, we can use the power of innovation to solve social issues and help our youth through education, workforce readiness, and entrepreneurship. In true SAP spirit, our unique partnership with UNICEF will not only maximize our collective impact but inspire young people in India and across the globe to help the world run better. After all, if our young people aren’t given the opportunities for skill development, they won’t be able to associate and support social causes that help in development of a nation,” she said.

“COVID-19 has led to disruptions in educational, economic and social spheres of life, that has thrown up many challenges for young people. The UNICEF – YuWaah – SAP India partnership will empower young people to help them harness their creativity, problem-solving and leadership to make a difference in their lives and in their communities. This partnership will address urgent challenges young people face by equipping them with life skills, social innovation and career guidance,” said Dr. Yasmin Ali Haque, UNICEF Representative in India.

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Social enterprises like LabourNet and GRAAM are expanding their focus on skilling youth in Karnataka. LabourNet has been skilling youth and providing them opportunities for wage employment and self-employment through creation of micro-enterprises. By partnering with governments, local corporates and industry bodies, they have trained over 700,000 Indians so far.

LabourNet also shared with us its plans for skilling in the Healthcare and Infrastructure Equipment sectors, which would help provide employment opportunities in India and abroad. It is one of the first few authorized partners for the Government’s strategic Indo-Japan Technical Intern Training Program (TITP) that aims to send more than 3 lakh Indian youth to Japan for a one-year internship program and technical training.

Under this programme, they have partnered with the AyurVAID chain of Ayurvedic hospitals to train more than 10,000 Ayurveda Paricharaks (caregivers) in the next five years. These Paricharaks will be trained for a year as a Caregiver, besides being trained in Japanese language, post which they will be sent to Japan for hands-on internship.

Eldercare workers are in high demand in Japan with more than 380,000 required by the year 2025. These Caregivers need a very high level of professional training in healthcare to be able to provide high quality, standardized care as Japan has developed outstanding technology and know-how in Care Work. Ayurveda Paricharaks trained at AyurVAID shall have the technical expertise, as well as skill sets and hence, shall be suited for this high-class training.

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July 15 is globally recognised as World Youth Skills Day and the theme decided by the United Nations’ for this year is #SkillsForAll. World Youth Skills Day presents an opportunity to come together and recognise the importance of youth skills development, giving youth the chance to contribute to their communities’, countries’ and international sustainable development. The UN designated day seeks to generate greater awareness of and discussion on the importance of technical, vocational education, and training and the development of other skills relevant to both local and global economies.

India has a unique advantage in the form of its demographic dividend. As one of the youngest nations in the world, nearly two third of India’s population is in the working age group. In addition, India’s young population is around 100 million which is more than the total population of all the G7 countries combined. It is further estimated that the average age of the population in India by 2020 will be 29 years as against 40 years in the US, 46 years in Europe and 47 years in Japan. However, to reap this demographic dividend, we need to enable the youth to acquire the skills required to get the job or become self-employed. Only then will we see the resulting growth and prosperity for this group and for the country.

“A large section of our youth, particularly the underprivileged segments of the population have little access to training that can improve their employability. It is estimated that only 4.69% of the total workforce in India has undergone formal skill training. This shows a huge skill gap in India which needs to be addressed.

Keeping this in mind, ICICI Foundation launched the ICICI Academy for Skills to provide vocational training to the youth from the economically weaker sections to enable them to earn a sustainable livelihood. Simultaneously, we are expanding the Foundation’s reach into the rural areas as well through the ICICI Digital Villages project,” said Chanda Kochhar, MD & CEO, ICICI Bank.

Young people are almost 3 times more likely to be unemployed than adults and continuously exposed to the lower quality of jobs, greater labour market inequalities, and longer and more insecure school-to-work transitions. In addition, women are more likely to be underemployed and underpaid, and to undertake part-time jobs or work under temporary contracts. That is why education and training are key determinants of success in the labour market. But unfortunately, existing systems are failing to address the learning needs of many young people, and surveys of learning outcomes and skills show that a large number of youth have low levels of achievement in basic literacy and numeracy. Skills and jobs for youth feature prominently in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and SDG target 4.4 calls for a substantial increase in the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, the United Nations said.

Udyogini, an NGO working towards promoting entrepreneurship and youth employability skills among the underprivileged, announced its strategic collaboration with Citi India and EduBridge Learning to launch the first (of the three) LEAD Academies in Pune, on the eve of World Youth Skills Day.

In a scenario where only 2.3% of the workforce in India has undergone formal skill training, as compared to other developed nations, the initiative aims to directly impact 600 unemployed youth in Pune and 2000 collectively.

TechnoServe, an international non-profit organisation with the support of The Citi Foundation recently organised the 2nd Career Fest to help over 400+ students from urban slums in Mumbai get an employment opportunity. Over 10 corporates attended the career fest and made several offers. Operating in 29 countries, TechnoServe is a leader in harnessing the power of the private sector to help people lift themselves out of poverty. The program is focused on training personal effectiveness, professional English and counselling, and mentoring activities perfectly complements and supports the gaps in these colleges – making these youth ideally suited for their structured intervention model which brings the entire suite of employability services within the college premises directly in reach of their students.

Structural unemployment adversely affects all regions around the world, impacting economies and hampering the transition to equitable and inclusive societies envisaged in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Developing appropriate skills among the youth is the solution to the problem.

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