New Delhi –  IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) has entered into a strategic partnership with The Job Plus and the Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council (THSC) to skill and empower young people from underserved communities, creating meaningful career opportunities for them in the service and hospitality industry. This marks the beginning of a long-term partnership aimed at driving sustained youth employability in India, particularly within the hospitality sector.

Aligned to its Journey to Tomorrow responsible business plan, IHG has expressed its intent to contribute actively to addressing the industry’s growing skill gap — where a large segment of the skilled workforce is migrating to other sectors — by driving economic and social change through skills training and innovation. With help of an educational sponsorship by IHG, the partnership will enable youth from underserved backgrounds to build careers of dignity, achieve financial independence, and work in professions they choose, not ones determined by circumstance.

As IHG expands its footprint across India, it is not only delivering world-class hospitality experiences but also seeking to generate lasting value and positive change in the communities it serves.

This partnership reflects our commitment to nurturing local talent, bridging the industry’s skill gap, and enabling young people from diverse backgrounds to build meaningful careers in hospitality. As we continue to grow in India, we remain focused on creating shared value — for our people, our partners, and the communities we serve, guided by our purpose of True Hospitality for Good. Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts 

As the end-to-end implementation partner driving on-ground execution of the initiative, The Job Plus brings deep expertise in skilling and employment linkages across India’s hospitality landscape.

We are proud to welcome IHG as a partner in building skills for youth in the service and hospitality industry and enhancing their employability. Their global presence will amplify the impact of program, and visibility for young talent across India. Through this collaboration, we aim to strengthen the industry’s talent pipeline, align skilling with global hospitality standards, and create long-term, dignified career pathways for young individuals across India. Divya Krishan, Chief Growth Officer, The Job Plus

As the sector skill council, THSC will conduct assessments of all enrolled candidates and certify them under nationally recognized standards, ensuring credibility and industry alignment.

At THSC, we believe true progress comes from empowering individuals through skills. This initiative is a step towards creating equitable opportunities, enabling youth to become confident professionals who strengthen the hospitality ecosystem. Rajan Bahadur, CEO, Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council (THSC)

About IHG^®

IHG Hotels & Resorts [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is a global hospitality company, with a purpose to provide True Hospitality for Good.

With a family of 17 hotel brands and IHG Rewards, one of the world’s largest hotel loyalty programmes, IHG has over 6,000 open hotels in more than 100 countries, and a further 1,800 in the development pipeline.

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