On World Youth Skills Day, Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) joined hands with REACHA (Research & Extension Association for Conservation Horticulture and Agro-Forestry) and the Indian Army to inaugurate a skill development centre in Uri, Jammu & Kashmir, the company said.
Located at the Chinar Nau Jawan Club, the centre will offer two vocational courses: bakery and fashion designing (weaving). The courses are intended to provide local youth with employable skills and entrepreneurial capabilities that support sustainable livelihoods in the region. IHCL and REACHA aim to train approximately 550 young people across Jammu & Kashmir by 2026, building on existing initiatives in Kupwara and Buniyar in the Baramulla district.
Gaurav Pokhariyal, executive vice president for human resources at IHCL, said: “On World Youth Skills Day, IHCL reaffirms its commitment to building a more inclusive and equitable future through skill development. Guided by our ESG+ framework, Paathya, we aim to skill 1,00,000 youth by 2030, empowering individuals with capabilities that support both employment and entrepreneurship.”
He added that the Uri centre “reflects this purpose-led approach. By investing in human capital, especially in regions with emerging tourism potential, we are contributing to resilient communities and a more sustainable hospitality ecosystem.”
Brigadier Manish Sehgal (VSM), commander of the 12 Infantry Brigade, Dagger Division of the Indian Army stationed in Uri, said: “Working with youth and community is our commitment to nurture development in the region. The skill centre by IHCL and REACHA is a collaborative effort to uplift local communities and provide the youth with tools for a brighter future.”
Nikhil Pant, chairman and CEO of REACHA, commented: “Our partnership with IHCL and the Indian Army continues to bring meaningful change to the lives of young people in Jammu & Kashmir. The centre builds on our shared vision of inclusive development through skill-building and community engagement.”
The Uri centre is part of a broader IHCL-REACHA initiative supported by the Indian Army. Previous centres in Kupwara and Buniyar have trained hundreds of participants; the new Uri facility aims to train 150 learners annually and brings the total trained to 550 by next year.
The focus is on equipping youth with practical skills in hospitality and crafts to support local economic development. The project aligns with IHCL’s ESG+ Paathya framework, contributing to regional resilience and the sustainable growth of hospitality in terrain with rising tourism opportunities.
