- Radisson to train 3,000 over seven years.
- About 80 percent have formal employment.
- CBRE sees 11 million-worker tourism shortfall by 2035.
RADISSON HOTEL GROUP plans to train 3,000 young people for hospitality jobs over seven years through its R.A.H.I. initiative. The program comes as India’s tourism industry faces workforce challenges, including gaps in training and employee retention.
The initiative, developed with The Job Plus and the Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council, aims to connect young people with formal employment. About 80 percent of beneficiaries have secured formal jobs to date, according to the partners.
“Hospitality is a people-driven industry, and investing in talent is essential to its long-term growth,” said Nikhil Sharma, RHG managing director and chief operating officer for South Asia. “Through R.A.H.I., we are working to create opportunities for young people to develop the skills and confidence needed to build meaningful careers in hospitality. Our partnership with The Job Plus and THSC brings together complementary expertise to support this ambition. By aiming to skill 3,000 young people over the next seven years, we hope to expand access to career opportunities and contribute to a stronger, more inclusive hospitality workforce.”
Training for industry needs
Participants span 14+ states and regions, from northeastern India to Telangana.Photo courtesy of Nikhil Sharma/LinkedIn
Participants complete a 45-day course preparing them for Guest Service Associate roles in housekeeping, food and beverage and front office operations. The program combines classroom instruction, practical training and industry immersion, followed by Level 4 assessments under the National Skills Qualifications Framework and certification through THSC.
The initiative draws participants from more than 14 states and regions, including northeastern India, West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh and Telangana. Selection considers educational qualifications, economic circumstances and career aspirations, with a focus on disadvantaged families and first-generation entrants to the formal workforce.
The partners provide placement preparation and opportunities for multiple job interviews. They also plan to align the curriculum with industry feedback, expand industry immersion and introduce a Radisson Connect component to familiarize participants with hotel operations, service standards and career paths.
Workforce challenges raise stakes
The initiative addresses concerns over India’s tourism workforce readiness.Photo courtesy of Nikhil Sharma/LinkedIn
The initiative comes amid concerns about whether India can develop enough trained workers to support tourism growth. A CBRE Research report projects that India’s tourism industry could face a workforce shortfall of about 11 million people by 2035.
The report identifies gaps in specialized skills, training capacity and employee retention, particularly in tier 2 and tier 3 cities. It also points to a mismatch between training locations and expanding hotel supply. Long hours, modest pay and weak career perceptions can push trained workers toward other sectors, including aviation, retail and business process outsourcing, the report says.
These findings point to a challenge beyond recruiting entry-level staff. Hospitality businesses also need training that matches local demand and career paths that encourage employees to stay in the sector. Radisson’s program addresses part of that challenge by linking instruction with certification and placement support. Its results alone, however, do not establish whether wider workforce shortages will ease.
Expanding access to careers
Training expands career opportunities across hospitality, corporate services, workspaces and facility management.Photo credit: iStock
The training is intended to open opportunities beyond hotels and restaurants, including corporate hospitality, managed workspaces and facility management.
Natwar Nagar, The Job Plus founder, said the partnership aims to reach candidates outside traditional hospitality schools, including those in small towns, villages and underserved communities.
“Our association with Radisson Hotel Group goes beyond skilling; it is about creating opportunities, nurturing talent and enabling young people to build successful careers in hospitality,” said Rajan Bahadur, THSC CEO. “We look forward to deepening this collaboration and contributing to the long-term growth of India’s hospitality workforce.”
RHG has more than 225 hotels operating or under development in India. More than half of its Indian portfolio is in tier 2 and tier 3 markets, according to the company. Its brands in India include Radisson Collection, Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson RED, Park Plaza, Park Inn by Radisson, Radisson Individuals and Radisson Individuals Retreats.
The seven-year target gives the partners a defined scale for their training effort. Its wider significance will depend on whether training translates into sustained employment and helps meet workforce needs as India’s tourism and hospitality businesses expand.
RHG ranked 90th among India’s Top 100 Best Companies to Work For 2026, as recognized by Great Place to Work India, which also named the company among India’s Best Workplaces in Hotels & Resorts 2026.
