On the occasion of World Youth Skills Day, Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company, announced the launch of a new skill development centre in Uri, Jammu & Kashmir, in collaboration with REACHA (Research & Extension Association for Conservation Horticulture and Agro-Forestry) and the Indian Army.
The initiative is part of IHCL’s larger commitment to youth empowerment through skill development, aligned with its ESG+ framework, Paathya, which aims to skill 1,00,000 youth by 2030. The new centre will offer vocational training in Bakery and Fashion Designing (Weaving), helping young individuals acquire practical, employable skills that promote both job readiness and entrepreneurship.
Gaurav Pokhariyal, Executive Vice President – Human Resources, IHCL, emphasized that the centre reflects IHCL’s purpose-driven approach to investing in human capital and building resilient communities, particularly in regions with growing tourism potential.
Brigadier Manish Sehgal, VSM, Commander 12 Infantry Brigade, Indian Army, said the project highlights a joint effort to support local development and provide youth with the tools for a sustainable future.
Nikhil Pant, Chairman and CEO of REACHA, noted that the partnership is built on a shared vision for inclusive growth in the region.
The Uri centre builds on previous IHCL-REACHA collaborations in Kupwara and Buniyar, and the collective effort now aims to skill approximately 550 youth in J&K by 2026
