Opening remarks setting context: India’s employability challenge, the evolving role of CSR in skilling, and why the focus must shift from training numbers to sustainable livelihood outcomes.

As CSR increasingly focuses on employability outcomes, what does meaningful success look like today? Beyond placement numbers, which indicators should organisations prioritise to measure long-term livelihood impact, career progression, and workforce readiness?

Despite significant investments in skilling, the gap between industry demand and workforce readiness persists. How can corporates, skilling institutions, and employers collaborate more effectively to design industry-aligned programmes that prepare young people for the jobs of tomorrow?

Ms. Ruchika Kumar, Editor, TheCSRUniverse

Apprenticeships and work-integrated learning are increasingly being recognised as powerful pathways to employment. How can CSR accelerate the adoption of apprenticeship-led models, and what policy or ecosystem interventions are needed to strengthen learn-and-earn opportunities at scale?

Ms Ruchika Kumra, Editor, TheCSRUniverse

Inclusive skilling is essential for equitable growth. How can CSR programmes better serve women, persons with disabilities, tribal communities, and youth from aspirational districts while ensuring equal access to quality employment opportunities?

Ms Ruchika Kumra, Editor, TheCSRUniverse

Closing recommendations: Key priorities for making CSR-led skilling programmes outcome-oriented, strengthening industry-skilling partnerships, and scaling sustainable livelihood models that create measurable, long-term impact.

Ms Ruchika Kumra, Editor, TheCSRUniverse