The initiative focuses on creating a structured pathway from training to employment for underserved communities.

Accor has announced a strategic tripartite partnership with The Job Plus and Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council to skill over 500 youth from low-income and underserved communities across India for entry-level roles in the hospitality and service sector.

Purpose and approach

Rooted in Accor’s global purpose, ‘Pioneering the art of responsible hospitality, connecting cultures, with heartfelt care’, this initiative is designed to expand access to formal employment, enabling young individuals who have traditionally remained excluded from structured career pathways to step into the workforce with confidence and dignity.

Enabling access to opportunity

This partnership seeks to bridge that gap by creating a structured, outcome-driven pipeline from skilling to employment. By combining Accor’s industry expertise, The Job Plus’s implementation capabilities, and THSC’s NSQF-aligned certification framework, the initiative creates an ecosystem that supports youth from training through to job placement.

Driving measurable impact

The programme aligns with India’s Section 7 CSR mandate and contributes to key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including:

SDG 4: Quality Education
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

These priorities are part of Accor’s global Planet 21 framework, reflecting its broader sustainability approach.

Leadership perspectives

Ranju Alex, CEO, Accor South Asia, said, “At Accor, responsible hospitality goes beyond our hotels. It is about creating meaningful opportunities for the communities we serve. This partnership is a step towards strengthening a more inclusive hospitality ecosystem in India, where talent is nurtured, empowered, and connected to career pathways.”

Rajan Bahadur, CEO, Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council, said, “This initiative highlights the importance of demand-driven skilling, where industry plays a role in shaping both training and outcomes. Through this collaboration, THSC will ensure that candidates are equipped with nationally recognised, NSQF-aligned certifications and practical competencies that meet employer expectations.”

Natwar Nagar, Founder & CEO, The Job Plus, added, “At The Job Plus, we believe that talent is widely distributed, but opportunity is not. This partnership aims to address that gap by enabling access to formal hospitality careers.”

Divya Krishan, Chief Growth Officer, The Job Plus, said, “This alliance is built around outcomes. Industry-led skilling, where employers are involved from the start, helps create long-term career opportunities.”