The Indian hospitality sector is a crucial contributor to the country's economy and is expected to
continue its growth trajectory in the coming years. However, the sector faces a challenge with
regards to the availability of skilled human resources. Currently, the hospitality industry is facing a
whopping 60% demand-supply gap. Despite several efforts and initiatives by the industry and
government to address the skills gap, the percentage of employability has not gone beyond 30%
according to industry experts.
To ensure sustained growth of the hospitality industry, it is imperative to invest in targeted skill-
building initiatives that equip the workforce with the latest industry-relevant knowledge and skills.
Such initiatives can include training programmes, internships, apprenticeships, and on-the-job
training. Industry-academia collaborations can also play a key role in bridging the skills gap by
designing programmes that align academic curriculum with industry requirements.
The 'Hospitality Training Programme (Chef Trade)' was inaugurated on 11 March 2023. Major
General Girish Kalia, General Officer Commanding (GOC HQ 28 Infantry Division), Mr. Nirmal Jain
(Chairman, IIFL - India Infoline Group), Mrs. Madhu Jain (Director, IIFL Foundation), Brigadier Tapan
Pant (Commander, 68 Mountain Brigade), Col MS Navalgatti, Commanding Officer (CO) 41 RR
Maratha LI, Col Amit Mane, 2nd in Command (2IC), 41 RR Maratha LI, Mr. Sahil Hamid (Zonal
Manager, IIFL Foundation), Mr. Mohammad Yusuf Yamin (HR Manager, Taj Hotels Resorts and
Palaces), Dr. Shafia Wani (Faculty, JKIMPARD), Mr. Nikhil Pant (CEO, REACHA), Mr. Azad Hussain (Sr.
Advisor/Project Manager, REACHA), Mr. Vijay Prakash, Ms. Archna Singh, Mr. Girish Saive, other
senior Army officers, and the on ground project team were present.
REACHA, through this training programme, seeks to reduce the skill gap in the hospitality sector in
the target area.
The objective of the programme is to train 160 youth in the Hospitality Training Programme (Chef
Trade) with employment opportunities to those who so desire. Each batch will consist of 40 trainees
who will be trained for a period of 90 days. The programme will help the youth to embark on a
Hospitality (Chef Trade) career path thereby will not only help the trainees and their families
financially, but also help in contributing to the economic and social development of Kupwara,
Kashmir, and the country.
Some key updates from the project are as follows (as on March 31, 2023) -
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About The Project
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