From Inclusion to Livelihood: ITC’s Skilling Programme Enabling Opportunities for the Differently-Abled

For many persons with disabilities in India, access to employment remains a challenge due to limited opportunities, skill gaps, and social barriers. Addressing this gap, ITC Limited’s skilling programme for persons with disabilities is enabling individuals to build sustainable livelihoods through industry-relevant training and placement support.

Creating Pathways to Employment
The programme focuses on equipping differently-abled youth with technical skills, workplace readiness, and essential soft skills such as communication, digital literacy, and financial awareness. It also provides support mechanisms including mentorship and sign-language interpretation to ensure inclusive learning environments.

Since its inception, over 2,370 individuals have been trained, with women accounting for more than 30% of participants. Many have secured employment across sectors such as retail, hospitality, logistics, IT-enabled services, and back-office operations.

Individual Journeys of Change
Kavali Jyothi, a 33-year-old from Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, now works as a Customer Support Associate at Kempegowda International Airport, earning ₹16,000 per month. Her income supports her family while also strengthening her confidence and independence. 

Similarly, Jayram Ramesh Sonune from Pune district, who has visual impairment, secured employment at Pune Airport after completing training in computer skills and communication. He earns ₹25,000 per month and contributes to his family’s financial stability.

Sunil Kumar from Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, with locomotor disability, is now employed as an accountant earning ₹15,000 per month. In Kolkata, Anima Karmakar has taken up a role as kitchen support staff, earning ₹16,000 monthly and supporting her household.

Scaling Through Partnerships
The initiative operates across Bengaluru, Mysuru, Lucknow, Howrah, and Bhubaneswar through partnerships with organisations such as Youth4Jobs, Anudip, Cheshire Disability Trust, Science & Technology Park, Sarthak, and Dr. Reddy’s Foundation. Each partner brings expertise in working with diverse disabilities, enabling tailored training approaches.

Additionally, ITC has introduced specialised interventions such as the Mangaldeep Sixth Sense programme, which trains visually impaired individuals in fragrance evaluation by leveraging sensory abilities.

Driving Inclusion Through Skills
The programme aligns with broader efforts to improve employment outcomes for persons with disabilities, particularly in rural areas where access to education and jobs remains limited. By focusing on employability and inclusion, the initiative contributes to building more equitable livelihood opportunities. 

Mr. Prabhakar Lingareddy, Executive Vice President and Head - Social Investments, ITC Limited, said, “At its core, our programme is about nurturing dignity and self-belief among the specially-abled, enabling individuals to see themselves as contributors to their families and society at large. As the programme continues to scale and expand, and as more success stories emerge from individuals like Jyoti, Jayram and Sunil, one simple truth is being powerfully reinforced: when given the right opportunities, everyone can prosper.”