Marriott Launches India Training Initiative for 500 Youth
Marriott International partners with THSC and The Job Plus to train 500 youth from vulnerable communities for hotel careers.
The short answer
Marriott International has launched Project Prarambh to train 500 youth from vulnerable communities across India over two to three years. Partnering with THSC and The Job Plus, the initiative provides accredited skills training and employment pathways for candidates aged 18 to 30.
The short version
- Marriott International launched Project Prarambh to train 500 youth aged 18 to 30 across India.
- THSC and The Job Plus manage candidate sourcing, operational training, assessments, and certifications.
- Chalet Hotels Ltd. is running a parallel initiative targeting 5,000 livelihoods by 2030.
Marriott International has launched Project Prarambh, a training initiative aimed at preparing 500 youth from vulnerable communities across India for hospitality careers over the next two to three years [1]. Supported by the Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council and The Job Plus, the program covers participants aged 18 to 30 with foundational skills training, workplace exposure, assessment, and formal job placement [1].
What is Marriott's Project Prarambh?
Project Prarambh is an employment initiative designed to train 500 young people from vulnerable communities across India for careers in hospitality [1]. As Asian Hospitality reported, the curriculum emphasizes skills instruction, workplace exposure, and direct mentorship for candidates aged 18 to 30 [1]. Marriott International structured the program under its Serve 360 social impact framework [1]. Kiran Andicot, senior vice president for South Asia at Marriott, explained that the effort focuses on "building people while supporting the community we operate within, and strengthening the industry's talent pipeline" [1]. Organizations across India will deliver the training on the ground [1].

Who are the partner organizations running the program?
The program operates through an alliance between Marriott International, The Job Plus, and the Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council [1]. Each organization oversees a distinct operational phase within the workforce development pipeline [1].

| Organization | Primary Role | Key Operational Responsibilities |
|---|---|---|
| Marriott International | Program sponsor and employer partner | Aligning strategy with Serve 360 sustainability framework and hiring candidates [1] |
| Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council (THSC) | Skill delivery and standards body | Handling training execution, participant assessment, and formal certification [1] |
| The Job Plus | Talent acquisition and mobilization | Identifying and preparing candidates for organized workforce roles [1] |

According to Asian Hospitality, THSC manages the instructional delivery, participant assessments, and credentialing [1]. The Job Plus takes charge of sourcing talent from target communities and coaching them for integration into formal positions [1]. Natwar Nagar, founder of The Job Plus, confirmed the group plans to build on this association over the long term to help young talent enter and build careers [1].
Why is hospitality talent development expanding in India?
Industry expansion across India has accelerated demand for qualified labor, leaving hotel properties in need of industry-ready staff [1]. Rajan Bahadur, CEO of THSC, stated that growth in the tourism and hospitality fields is driving an urgent requirement for trained talent [1]. Vinay Jaswal, Marriott's vice president of human resource operations for South Asia and HR technology and analytics for APEC, noted that early investment helps candidates take initial career steps with confidence [1]. Other hotel groups are taking similar steps; Chalet Hotels Ltd. is separately expanding its "Parivartan by Chalet" initiative alongside THSC and The Job Plus to create 5,000 sustainable livelihoods by 2030 [1].
How does the training translate into formal employment?
The curriculum links classroom instruction with practical operational exposure so candidates transition into the organized workforce [1]. As covered by Asian Hospitality, the tripartite alliance focuses on moving graduates directly from instruction into formal employment across hotel departments [1]. By combining certifications from THSC with placement support from The Job Plus, the partners establish a direct route for underserved youth to fill operational vacancies in lodging properties across the country [1].
Reported by
This article was written from the following reporting. Follow the links for the original coverage.
- [1]Marriott Launches Program to Train 500 Youth in India— asianhospitality.com
Frequently asked
+What is the goal of Marriott's Project Prarambh?
Project Prarambh aims to equip 500 young people from vulnerable communities across India with hospitality skills, workplace exposure, and mentorship over a two- to three-year timeframe.
+Who is eligible to participate in the training initiative?
The program is designed for young people aged 18 to 30 from vulnerable communities across India who are seeking entry into the organized hospitality workforce.
+Which partners are executing the training program alongside Marriott?
Marriott International is partnering with the Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council (THSC) for training, assessment, and certification, and The Job Plus to source and prepare candidates.
+What framework guides Marriott's involvement in the initiative?
Marriott's participation in Project Prarambh is guided by its Serve 360 sustainability and social impact framework, addressing operational staffing needs while assisting local communities.
+What similar workforce programs exist in India's hotel market?
Chalet Hotels Ltd. runs the Parivartan by Chalet program with THSC and The Job Plus, targeting 5,000 sustainable livelihoods across the industry by 2030.
Keep reading
Our reporting
More in hr

