On the occasion of World Youth Skills Day, Hindustan Zinc, India’s leading zinc producer and a global leader in integrated zinc operations, reaffirmed its commitment to empowering rural youth through its flagship training initiative, Zinc Kaushal. With over 8,600 individuals trained across Rajasthan and Uttarakhand, the program has not only helped thousands secure jobs across India, but is now enabling candidates to find opportunities overseas. Two such success stories include Deepika Devra, now employed on Marella Cruises in Spain, and Lalit Jangid, who has joined Asterix Company in Saudi Arabia.
Through seven dedicated training centers in six districts, Zinc Kaushal equips participants with industry-relevant skills across sectors like hospitality, retail, solar energy, microfinance, and security. More than 7,250 candidates have already found domestic placements, and the program continues to open new doors globally. Deepika, hailing from Dabok near Udaipur, defied societal norms and built a career in hospitality, eventually landing a role on an international cruise ship with a monthly salary of ₹60,000. Lalit, from a small village in Ajmer, began his journey with an electrician course at the Ajmer center. After gaining experience with Motherson Sumi, he now earns ₹50,000 per month working as a technician in Saudi Arabia.
Commenting on the success of the initiative, Arun Misra, CEO of Hindustan Zinc, said, “We are not just offering training — we’re transforming futures. Zinc Kaushal is designed to connect ambition with opportunity. Seeing our youth take charge of their lives, both in India and abroad, proves the power of skill-building at the grassroots level. These stories reflect a larger vision of building a confident, self-reliant Bharat.” The program has also made headlines for its inclusive approach, with nearly 45% of its trainees being women and milestones like India’s first all-women batch in unarmed security achieving full placement. The initiative supports youth with disabilities and promotes entrepreneurship, aligning closely with national goals such as Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Rajasthan.
Zinc Kaushal’s strong employer network includes over 500 recruiters such as Tata Motors, TCS, Honda, Adani Power, Taj Hotels, Raxa Security, SBI Cards, Zydus Hospitals, and Reliance Retail. Beyond skill development, Hindustan Zinc’s wider social responsibility programs reached more than 2.3 million people in FY 2025. These include supporting over 2 lakh students through education programs like Shiksha Sambal and Unchi Udaan, empowering nearly 27,000 women through self-help groups, and helping over 35,000 farmer families under the Samadhan initiative.
Hindustan Zinc Limited, part of the Vedanta Group, is the world’s largest integrated zinc producer and ranks among the top five global silver producers. Supplying to over 40 countries, it commands around 77% of India’s primary zinc market share. The company has been named the most sustainable firm in the global metals and mining sector by S&P Global for two consecutive years. Hindustan Zinc recently introduced EcoZen, Asia’s first low-carbon zinc brand, produced with renewable energy and offering a carbon footprint 75% below the global average. As a 3.32x Water-Positive company with Net Zero goals set for 2050, Hindustan Zinc remains a key contributor to India’s transition toward a greener future, and ranks among the Top 10 CSR companies in the country.
