Marriott International has launched Project Prarambh, an initiative guided by the company’s Serve 360 sustainability and social impact framework, to create pathways to formal employment and long-term careers in hospitality for young people from vulnerable communities across India.
In collaboration with The Job Plus and the Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council (THSC), the initiative will support youth between 18 and 30 years of age through industry-relevant training, workplace exposure and mentorship, helping them build the skills and confidence needed to enter the formal workforce. Project Prarambh will be delivered through an extensive network of training partners across India.
Kiran Andicot, Senior Vice President, South Asia, Marriott International, said: “People have always been at the heart of our success. Our people-centric culture is what enables us to create exceptional experiences for our guests, and investing in people has always been central to who we are as an organisation. At the same time, the hospitality industry continues to face a significant need for skilled, industry-ready talent, making it important that we play our part in creating pathways for young people to build careers in the sector. Through Project Prarambh, we are bringing these two priorities together, building people while supporting the community we operate within, and strengthening the industry’s talent pipeline. We are grateful to The Job Plus and the Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council for their collaboration and expertise in helping us take this ambition forward.”
Over the next two to three years, Project Prarambh aims to train 500 young people, equipping them with the skills, workplace readiness and confidence to pursue and build careers in the hospitality industry.
For many beneficiaries, Project Prarambh could represent their first formal employment opportunity, their first regular income and their first experience of a professional career. For young people who are among the first in their families to enter formal employment, the opportunity can extend well beyond the individual to support greater financial independence and open new possibilities for their families.
Vinay Jaswal, Vice President, HR Ops (South Asia), HR Tech & Analytics (APEC), Marriott International commented, “Our approach to People & Culture at Marriott goes beyond creating a great workplace for our associates; it is also about thinking more broadly about how we can contribute to people’s journeys at different stages. Initiatives such as Project Prarambh reflect this belief, each addressing a different opportunity to enable greater participation, growth and inclusion. By investing in their development at an early stage, we can help them take that first step with greater confidence and open possibilities that can have a lasting impact on their lives and those of their families. For us, this is an important part of what it means to put people first.”
Natwar Nagar, Founder, The Job Plus, said: “We are very pleased to partner with Marriott and THSC on Project Prarambh. We look forward to building on this association over the long term and working together to create more opportunities for young talent to enter, grow and build careers in the industry.”
Rajan Bahadur, CEO, Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council (THSC), said: “As the Tourism and Hospitality sector continues to grow rapidly, the need for a skilled and industry-ready workforce has never been greater. CSR-led skilling initiatives can play a critical role in bridging this gap by providing young people with the right skills, practical exposure, and opportunities to build sustainable careers. This initiative is a step towards strengthening the talent ecosystem and preparing our youth for the growing opportunities in the sector.”
For The Job Plus, the opportunity is to help bridge the gap between talent and access by identifying young people with the potential to enter the organised workforce and equipping them with the skills required to succeed in a formal workplace. THSC’s role in the partnership supports this objective by bringing industry-aligned training, assessment and certification into the initiative, helping young people develop skills that are relevant to the evolving needs of the sector.
