Radisson Hotel Group, South Asia, expands skilling partnership with The Job Plus and THSC to empower youth

Radisson Hotel Group, South Asia, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with The Job Plus and the Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council (THSC) to skill, certify, and place over 300 youth from overlooked regions across India in the service and hospitality industry. The signing took place in the presence of Federico J. González, CEO, Radisson Hotel Group.

This MoU builds on the success of a landmark initiative launched in May 2025, under which 308 youth from Jammu & Kashmir, Northeast, West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, and Telangana were trained, certified, and connected to career opportunities, of which 200 of them are already placed with leading hospitality brands. Notably, 54% of beneficiaries were young women, underscoring the initiative’s role in advancing gender inclusion within the hospitality sector.

This industry-led initiative is supported by the Radisson People Foundation (RPF)- a charitable trust established by Radisson Hotel Group South Asia, during the COVID-19 pandemic to support team members in need and local communities. Since then, RPF has evolved into a platform for advancing skill development within the hospitality industry by equipping youth with industry-relevant skills. RPF creates opportunities, builds careers, and helps shape the future of hospitality.

The program identifies and trains youth, many of whom come from agricultural backgrounds and are first-generation hospitality professionals. The upcoming phase will further extend opportunities to youth from Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, West Bengal, Shillong and Nagaland, among others.

"If there is one certainty in the business world, it is that growing people is critical to the hotel business. Everything we do depends on the quality of our people. Partnering with the Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council and The Job Plus gives us the opportunity to equip the next generation with the skills, confidence, and opportunities to transform their careers — and, ultimately, our industry,"said Federico J. González, CEO, Radisson Hotel Group.

"The hospitality sector is powered by its people, and at Radisson Hotel Group, we see it as our responsibility to nurture the next generation of talent. This collaboration is a small effort by the Radisson People Foundation to ensure that talent is trained for future. The success of our first phase, where more than half of the beneficiaries were young women, reinforces the transformative potential of this initiative. By investing in skilling and inclusion, we are building careers while also shaping stronger communities and strengthening the future of Indian hospitality,"said Nikhil Sharma, Managing Director & COO, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group.

“Collaborations like this prove that when industry and skill development bodies work hand in hand, the impact is immediate and lasting. Together, we can create a workforce that is confident, capable, and ready to excel in the hospitality sector. This initiative is not just about training; it’s about opening doors to opportunities, inspiring young talent, and equipping them with the right mindset to thrive in a competitive global environment. By aligning our efforts with industry needs, we ensure that every participant is prepared to contribute meaningfully to both the sector and the nation’s economic growth,” said Rajan Bahadur, CEO, Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council.

“Our partnership with Radisson Hotel Group and THSC goes beyond skill development — it is about creating real, tangible change in the lives of young people from regions that are too often left out of the economic mainstream. The fact that over 50% of the first phase beneficiaries were young women makes this impact even more meaningful. Together, we are not just filling jobs; we are building futures, strengthening communities, and shaping the next generation of hospitality leaders,” said Natwar Nagar, Founder, The Job Plus.

Radisson Hotel Group continues to command a leading presence in the Indian market and is one of the country’s largest international hotel operators with over 200 hotels in operation and development. It continues to be the largest hotel operator in a tier-1 market like Delhi NCR, while over 50% of its portfolio is in tier-2 and 3 markets. The Group has successfully introduced various brands to the growing Indian market, including Radisson Collection, Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson RED, Park Inn by Radisson, Park Plaza, and Radisson Individuals and its extension Radisson Individuals Retreats.