Ahead of World Youth Skills Day, Hindustan Zinc announced that its flagship skilling initiative, Zinc Kaushal, has trained more than 10,000 rural and tribal youth across Rajasthan and Uttarakhand since its launch in 2019, helping strengthen the talent pipeline for industries ranging from manufacturing to hospitality.
Backed by an investment of Rs 26 crore, the programme has recorded an 83 per cent placement rate, with more than 8,000 participants securing employment. The company said trainees have witnessed an average 16 per cent increase in salary, while 45 per cent of the beneficiaries have been women.
During FY26 alone, the initiative trained over 2,600 youth, including 420 participants through partnerships with organisations such as NABARD, JK Cement, YES Foundation and Bajaj Finserv.
The programme also achieved 100 per cent placement for a special batch of hearing and speech-impaired trainees, who were recruited by hospitality brands including Taj Fateh Prakash, Radisson Blu and The Fern Residency.
Implemented in partnership with Ambuja Foundation and Tata STRIVE, Zinc Kaushal operates through six training centres in Rajasthan and offers industry-aligned courses designed to improve employability and create sustainable livelihoods.
Programme alumni are currently employed with organisations such as Tata Consultancy Services, Foxconn, Honda, Marella Cruises and GMR Group, reflecting the initiative’s focus on industry-relevant skills.
Beyond employability, the programme also collaborates with the Udaipur Police under its Smart Policing initiative to skill vulnerable youth and improve access to formal employment.
Hindustan Zinc said the programme has received four district-level awards from the Government of Rajasthan for its contribution to youth skilling and employability.
