Chennai, India, 12th November, 2025:  HCLFoundation, the CSR arm of global technology leader HCLTech, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation (TNSDC) to upskill rural youth in the Vilathikulam and Pudur blocks of Thoothukudi district with digital and allied technologies.

Under this partnership, 2,500 youth from 95 village panchayats will receive training and placement support over the next 36 months. The initiative aims to create innovative employment models by setting up micro workspaces at block headquarters, enabling remote job opportunities in the IT and ITES sectors. A robust placement tracking system will ensure that skill training translates into sustainable employment outcomes.

“The Government of Tamil Nadu is committed to extending the benefits of industrial growth to every region of the state, particularly emerging hubs like Thoothukudi. This MoU with HCLFoundation is a proactive step to equip local youth with relevant skills, promote inclusive employment, and reduce migration—especially by encouraging women’s participation in dynamic sectors,” said Thiru. Kranthi Kumar Pati, IAS, Managing Director, TNSDC.

Alok Varma, Project Director – Samuday & My Clean City, HCLFoundation, added,

“Thoothukudi is emerging as a key industrial hub. Through the Samuday programme, our collaboration with TNSDC will empower rural youth to contribute to this growth story by addressing educated unemployment, facilitating local job creation, and promoting gender inclusion in non-traditional sectors like IT, logistics, and finance.”

This collaboration is part of the ‘Vetri Nichayam’ initiative, launched by TNSDC to upskill unemployed youth aged 18–35 and connect them to immediate employment or self-employment opportunities across diverse sectors.