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September 4, 2025

Top CSR Initiatives Skilling Youth in India

The CSR Journal Magazine

Imparting skill training to youth is crucial for reasons like boosting employment opportunities, economic growth, reducing brain drain, personal growth, addressing industry needs and promoting entrepreneurship. By imparting skill training to youth in India, the country can harness the potential of its demographic dividend, drive economic growth, and create a more prosperous future.

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.

 

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 APM Terminals Pipavav for skilling rural youth

APM Terminals Pipavav inaugurated a state-of-the-art Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Workshop at its Skill and Entrepreneurship Development Institute, Rajula, as a part of its ongoing commitment to skill and entrepreneurship development among rural youth. The facility is equipped with a high-precision Vertical Machining Centre (VMC), a computer-operated system widely used across the manufacturing sector for milling, drilling, and tapping operations.

The workshop has been designed to provide local youth with hands-on training in precision machining, a highly sought-after skill that enables access to employment opportunities across industrial sectors. It aligns with the company’s long-term vision of building a future-ready workforce and fostering inclusive growth in the surrounding communities.

The CNC Workshop is part of APM Terminals Pipavav’s broader Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) mission, which has positively impacted more than one lakh people across 400 villages over the last decade.

Taj Mahal, New Delhi and Chhanv Foundation imparts Hospitality Skills training to Acid Attack Survivors

Hotel Taj Mahal, New Delhi recently partnered with Chhanv Foundation to provide support to acid attack survivors in hospitality skilling – enabling economic empowerment, professional readiness, and social inclusion. The initiative aims to support the launch of Sheroes Café in Delhi, a space that will honour courage and the transformative power of opportunity.

The programme commenced with an immersive familiarisation tour of the hotel, offering participants an insider’s perspective on the Front of the House and Heart of the House operations. From observing guest interactions at the reception to experiencing the precision of back-of-house culinary and housekeeping functions, the orientation laid the groundwork for a comprehensive training programme designed to build technical expertise and confidence.

The curriculum covered diverse areas of hospitality which included – Indian, Chinese, and Bakery production beverage and mocktail preparation, front office operations, and modules on grooming and personality development facilitated by the Learning & Development team at Taj Mahal, New Delhi. Parallel sensitisation sessions for associates and assigned buddies ensured a supportive ecosystem, embedding empathy and inclusion into the training journey.

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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