HDFC Bank has launched a Parivartan Skilling Centre in Bareilly in partnership with Smile Foundation, aimed at strengthening employability among youth from underserved communities in Uttar Pradesh, which has one of the country’s largest youth populations.
Uttar Pradesh continues to see a growing number of graduates and school-leavers seeking skill-based employment. The Bareilly centre has been positioned to address this gap by providing training aligned with industry needs, while also reducing migration to larger cities.
Nusrat Pathan, Head, CSR, HDFC Bank, said, “Through Parivartan, our focus is on enabling meaningful and sustained livelihood opportunities by strengthening the link between skills training and employment.”
The initiative, rolled out under the bank’s CSR programme Parivartan, is expected to train around 850 young people over 30 months. The training will focus on the Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI) and retail sectors, where demand for entry-level roles remains steady.
HDFC Bank will support the initiative through infrastructure, staffing and operational funding, as part of its broader CSR focus on livelihood generation and inclusive growth.
The programme implementation partner Smile Foundation will bring a structured skilling approach linking training to job opportunities, covering delivery, operations and post-placement tracking.
At least 70 per cent of those trained are expected to be placed in formal sector roles, ensuring consistency in training quality and a smoother transition from classroom learning to employment.
The curriculum combines technical training with soft skills such as communication, customer interaction and workplace conduct.
Santanu Mishra, Co-founder and executive trustee of Smile Foundation, said India’s demographic advantage can only be realised if young people are equipped with relevant skills, adding that the programme aims to improve employability while contributing to economic development.
Bareilly’s location as a regional hub in western Uttar Pradesh is expected to help the centre draw participants not only from the city but also nearby districts.
