National Youth Day 2025: HCCB’s Journey of Empowering India’s Youth

India’s youth represent the nation's vitality and transformative potential. With 65% of the population under the age of 35, empowering them has become a necessity. 

On National Youth Day 2025, we are reminded of the immense potential of India’s youth. This day, inspired by the teachings of Swami Vivekananda, calls for collective efforts to empower the younger generation with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities they need to thrive. 

At HCCB, we commemorate this day, shining light on our consistent efforts to empower the youth, close skill gaps, and create a brighter future.

Why is National Youth Day celebrated across India?

National Youth Day, celebrated on January 12th every year, marks the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, one of India’s most revered spiritual leaders and visionaries. Swamiji’s teachings emphasized the importance of youth in shaping the nation's future. His belief in the power of youth as the driving force for societal change continues to inspire generations.

The day serves as a reminder of the invaluable contributions young people can make to society and encourages the nation to invest in their potential. It is a day to reflect on the role of youth in building a stronger, more prosperous India and renew our collective commitment to their development and empowerment. National Youth Day aims to foster a sense of purpose and responsibility among young people through education, skill-building, and opportunities.

Bridging the skill-employment gap in the country

A significant challenge today’s youth faces is the growing skill gap between traditional education and the demands of the modern job market. The 2023-24 Economic Survey suggests that only 51.25% of graduates in India are deemed employable, with a significant disconnect between education and industry requirements. This issue is particularly prominent in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, where access to quality skill development remains limited. This skill gap not only affects individuals but also hinders economic growth.

At HCCB, we recognise this gap's longstanding impact and implications and the importance of bridging it. Through various initiatives and our Career Development Centers (CDCs), we’ve been working to equip youth across multiple states with the skills needed for success.

Career Development Centers to prepare the youth for the workforce

Our CDCs offer targeted training courses, ranging from one-week to four-month duration, to bridge the skill-employment gap. These courses cover both industry-specific skills and essential soft skills, including:

Industry Skills: 

Retail, manufacturing, customer service, BPO, IT, and digital literacy.

Soft Skills:

Personality development, English communication, and interview preparation.

Practical Experience:

The curriculum blends classroom learning with industry visits, group activities, and counselling.

Upon completing their course, each student is given four interview opportunities, and they are guided by faculty and career counsellors to help them succeed.

The centres have modern facilities, including desktops with internet access, a well-stocked library, and audiovisual learning aids, to foster an optimal learning environment. This initiative plays a vital role in addressing the skill gap and the demand for employable talent, especially given the current unemployment scenario.

The state of digital literacy in modern India

As technology becomes integral to every industry, digital literacy is a significant focus for the youth. To this end, we have implemented initiatives like installing digital smartboards in schools and training centres across India. These digital smartboards are equipped with advanced technology to facilitate interactive and engaging learning experiences. The goal is not just to teach basic skills but to foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity.

By introducing young minds to digital learning, we aim to empower them to adapt to and thrive with the key competencies needed for success today. Additionally, integrating classroom sessions with digital learning tools makes it easier for youth to learn and grow in an environment that mirrors the modern workplace.

Strengthening the local employment ecosystem

Our commitment to youth empowerment is not isolated to just one region. Recognising that each state in India faces unique challenges, we have launched skill development programs in multiple states to cater to the diverse needs of young people. Our work in Telangana, for instance, has been a notable success. In partnership with the Government of Telangana, we trained 10,196 students in the first year of our collaboration, and our MoU has since been renewed to train an additional 10,000 students by 2023-24.

The 'Campus to Corporate' initiative, which we designed to make college students industry-ready, is a key part of this effort. The program combines physical classroom sessions with virtual learning tools, allowing students to develop the skills necessary to succeed in the corporate world. We also collaborate with local institutions to create a pool of trained graduates aligned with the state’s vision of fostering innovation, infrastructure, and inclusive growth.

Upskilling 25,000+ Youth across multiple states in India

In addition to our work in Telangana, our multi-state upskilling initiative has impacted over 25,000 youth across eight states, including Bihar, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and others. This initiative, in partnership with the Y4D Foundation, focuses on sales and marketing training, covering areas such as Digital Marketing, Product Knowledge, Sales Techniques, and Career Guidance.

The 30-hour program combines 24 hours of online training with 6 hours of face-to-face interaction. It is designed to accommodate students' varying proficiency levels, enabling effective learning. By connecting learners with local industries and entrepreneurial prospects, we boost their employability and help them gain real-world experience, ensuring they are job-ready.

Creating opportunities for growth

At the heart of our youth training initiatives lies a commitment to bridging the skill gap and improving employability. Through hands-on training and exposure to real-world job environments, our initiatives empower young individuals to succeed in the workforce. Our collaborations with government bodies and local organisations ensure these skills translate into real opportunities—internships, apprenticeships, and meaningful employment.

With over 25,000 youth upskilled across multiple states, our efforts underscore the transformative power of investing in India’s youth. As we look ahead to 2025 and beyond, HCCB remains dedicated to harnessing the demographic dividend through sustained initiatives and strategic partnerships. By equipping young Indians with the right skills, we are not just shaping careers—we are building a stronger, more resilient nation.

On this National Youth Day 2025, we reaffirm our belief in India’s youth's boundless potential. Together, let us create an ecosystem of opportunity that empowers every young Indian to realise their dreams and contribute to a brighter future for our country.