NEW DELHI, July 15 -- Hindustan Zinc's flagship skilling and livelihood initiative, Zinc Kaushal, has trained more than 10,000 rural and tribal youth across Rajasthan and Uttarakhand since its launch in 2019, helping create employment opportunities and promote economic mobility in underserved regions.
With an investment of Rs 26 crore, the programme has focused on building a skilled workforce, with women accounting for 45 per cent of the trainees. In FY2026 alone, more than 2,600 youth were trained, including 420 through partnerships with NABARD, JK Cement, YES Foundation and Bajaj Finserv.
The programme has recorded an 83 per cent placement rate and an average salary increase of 16 per cent for its trainees. Alumni are currently employed with companies such as Tata Consultancy Services, Foxconn, Honda, Marella Cruises and GMR Group.
One of the programme's success stories is Deepika, a resident of Bhamniya Khet village near Udaipur. After joining Zinc Kaushal's Food and Beverage Services course, she secured a job with Marella Cruises in Spain, marking a remarkable journey from a rural background to an international hospitality career.
Another beneficiary, Wasif, who was born deaf, joined the hospitality training programme and began his career with Ramada before becoming a Guest Service Associate at Taj Aravali. He now mentors other hearing-impaired youth.
A key milestone during the year was the 100 per cent placement of a special batch of deaf and mute trainees at hospitality brands including Taj Fateh Prakash, Radisson Blu and The Fern Residency.
Implemented in partnership with Ambuja Foundation and Tata Strive, Zinc Kaushal operates through six skilling centres in Rajasthan and has received four district-level awards from the Rajasthan government for its contribution to enhancing youth employability.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.