IHCL inaugurates Hospitality Skill Centre in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat

Chandigarh, January 29, 2024: Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company, today inaugurated its 32nd skill training centre in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat. Located in close proximity to the famed Statue of Unity, the centre was launched by Dr. S. Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs, Government of India.

Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, IHCL, said, “Government of Gujarat has taken significant strides in infrastructure development, unlocking the tourism potential of the region. With the landscape ripe for skilled individuals to foray into the industry, the skill centre inaugurated by the Minister of External Affairs, Dr. S. Jaishankar, will offer hospitality training to the youth in the state. This initiative will leverage the untapped talent and bridge the employability gap in the sector for times to come.”

IHCL has introduced a multi-level skill centre in Ekta Nagar, in partnership with Tata STRIVE and VFS.  The centre will offer courses in food and beverage service and front office with on-the-job training. The centre is equipped to cater to 120 students annually. Post course completion, learners will be provided assistance for employment in the sector.

Zubin Karkaria, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, VFS Global, said, “VFS Global's commitment to education and skill development in India is demonstrated through the successful operation of the VFS Global Academy in Mumbai, Lucknow and Deoghar. Our approach fosters a culture of learning and development within the communities it serves. We are extremely pleased to add Ekta Nagar hospitality skill centre in partnership with IHCL, India’s leading hospitality company.”

Regarded as the custodian of Indian hospitality, IHCL continues to invest in building industry-relevant talent pools with an aim to develop and support deserving youth and their families, while contributing to the overall growth of the industry.

In line with its ESG+ framework of Paathya, IHCL partners and operates 32 skill centers across 10 states and 15 cities in India and is committed to train 1,00,000 youth by 2030.