On 4th February 2025, the “Industry HR Conclave” organised by Lighthouse Communities Foundation (LCF) in partnership with Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), marked a significant milestone for the Lighthouse program in Pune. The event celebrated the successful placement of over 20,000 youth from Pune’s low-income communities, since its inception in 2016.
Over 56 renowned companies from Pune participated in the conclave across Retail, Manufacturing, IT/ITES, BFSI, Logistics, Healthcare, and BPO. Some of the top employers included Dmart, Infosys, HDFC Data Center, Tech Mahindra, Aegis, WNS, TCS, Amazon, Spero Healthcare, Imperative Business Venture, Eureka outsourcing , Xebia, Infocepts and Exela Technologies amongst others.
The event commenced with a welcome note by Anuja Kishore, CEO of Lighthouse Communities Foundation who highlighted the contribution of key stakeholders, including the government, skilling and employer partners, and donors, in enabling access and opportunities for youth. With PMC’s support, 13 Lighthouse centers have been established across 15 wards, creating accessible career pathways within a 5km radius of each hub. Skilling partners have facilitated over 29,000 youth to enroll in skill courses of their choice, and 23,500 have successfully transitioned into employment through Lighthouse and GOYN initiatives.
Mr. Pradeep Bhargava, Chairman of MCCIA Electronic Cluster Foundation and one of the Founding Members and Directors of LCF, delivered a powerful keynote address. He discussed critical HR challenges such as stagnant minimum wages, the need for a more humane approach in HR policies, capacity building, and the role of PMC in fostering good citizenship across low-income communities. He emphasized the importance of investing in people over automation, for sustainable growth and national employment.
Mr. Nitin Udas, Deputy Commissioner of PMC, highlighted the aspirations of Pune’s youth and urged HR managers to provide them with meaningful opportunities. He also underscored the necessity of early career counseling and financial security measures, such as health insurance coverage for young professionals entering the workforce.
A key highlight of the conclave was a panel discussion moderated by Deepika Kedia, Director, Lighthouse Program which focused on unifying government and employer ecosystems to enhance youth preparedness for the workforce. The discussion featured significant insights from HR leaders, Government representatives, and Lighthouse Alumni. The panel included Mr. Nitin Udas, Deputy Commissioner, PMC, Mr. Javed Inamdar, CEO, Pravi (a skilling partner specializing in IT courses including programming, data science, and communication), Mr. Datta Kumbhar, Deputy Vice President, AU Small Finance Bank, Ms. Sucheta Sathe, Sr. HR Executive, i-Source Infosystems Pvt Ltd and Akash Gaikwad, Lighthouse Alumni working at AI Tech.
Lighthouse Alumni Sudarshan Patil, placed at a reputed firm, shared, “One of the most valuable things I learned at Lighthouse was the focus on real-time scenarios. Practical education builds confidence and helps students like me in our journey. For instance, we weren’t just taught theoretical concepts; we learned how to apply them in everyday life. Managing multiple goals, balancing work with personal life—these are the types of skills we learned at Lighthouse.”
The event concluded with a Q&A session where industry representatives shared valuable insights on workforce demands and emerging opportunities. The conclave also featured the felicitation of valued partners, reinforcing the importance of collaborative action in strengthening employment pathways for youth.
Today, the Lighthouse initiative has garnered significant support, with over 50 donors, 100+ implementation partners, and 7,000+ employers across the country. The event aims to foster deeper industry partnerships and pave the way for greater employment opportunities for the youth.
