On the occasion of World Youth Skills Day, Vedanta has announced that nearly 15 lakh individuals across India have benefited from its skill development initiatives over the past five years. With a strong focus on rural communities surrounding its operations, the programs aim to bridge the gap between unskilled and semi-skilled youth, equipping them with market-relevant skills for improved livelihood opportunities.
These efforts are aligned with the Government of India’s Skill India Mission and Kaushal Bharat Abhiyaan, and also support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 8, which promotes decent work and economic growth.
Vedanta’s network of over 200 skilling centres across the country offers training in more than 40 technical and non-technical trades—including solar energy, forklift operations, hospitality, sewing, and basic finance. The company claims a placement rate of 91%, with trainees earning an average monthly salary of ₹15,000.
According to government data, only about 2% of Indian youth (15-29 years) receive formal vocational training, compared to significantly higher percentages in countries like Korea (96%), Germany (75%), and the UK (68%). Vedanta’s initiatives aim to narrow this gap by targeting youth in underserved regions.
Anil Agarwal , Chairman, has often underlined the importance of tapping into India’s demographic dividend. In a recent social media post, he noted, “India has the youngest population among the world’s 20 largest economies… Let’s invest in our youngsters… They will be world beaters.”
Among the key regional initiatives:
Zinc Kaushal Kendra (Rajasthan & Uttarakhand) has trained over 8,000 youth—45% of them women—with over 7,000 placed in jobs both in India and abroad.
BALCO’s Vedanta Skill Schools in Chhattisgarh have trained over 12,000 individuals, with a strong focus on local employability.
Vedanta ESL Skill School in Bokaro is helping young women like Sabnam Parween, who now works in the solar energy sector after completing a training program.
Cairn Enterprise Centre in Barmer and SESA Technical School in Goa continue to offer sector-specific training aligned with regional needs.
Beyond vocational training, Vedanta is also investing in early childhood development through its Nand Ghar program, which has expanded to over 8,500 centres across 15 states. These centres provide a mix of nutrition, pre-school education, healthcare, and skilling support to women and children.
In FY25 alone, Vedanta’s community initiatives have reached over 68 lakh people, backed by a CSR spend of ₹429 crore. Its broader social impact strategy spans areas like education, agriculture, women’s empowerment, and health.
