Uniqlo’s three-year project will provide job-ready skills to help vulnerable young adults, especially women, transition from unsafe and unstable work in the informal sector.
The Job Oriented Vocational Training Centre targets job seekers aged 18 to 29 from Delhi’s underprivileged communities. Priority is given to school dropouts, children of migrant workers, those living in poverty, or those with limited access to employment or vocational training opportunities.
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By December 2027, the goal of this initiative is to have equipped 2,700 youths with technical skills and professional world insights.
Uniqlo is also considering offering internships at its stores and facilities for programme participants to gain real-world experience.
Located in Dwarka, New Delhi, the new skill centre project will focus on imparting practical skills in nursing, retail services, and sewing machine operation.
The curriculum, spanning 45 to 60 days, will also encompass soft skills development including digital and financial literacy, gender equality, diversity awareness, and workplace communication.
Additionally, the programme seeks to help young people in India with job placements and subsequent follow-ups.
Uniqlo India chief financial officer and chief operating officer Kenji Inoue said: “Inspired by our LifeWear philosophy of making everyone’s life better, we hope this vocational training project will have a life-changing, positive impact for thousands of young Indian people. It is fundamental for Uniqlo that we always contribute to society in every country and region in which we operate, and this new project represents our long-term commitment to the Indian community.
“Education is an integral part of individual and societal development and, working with Plan International, we look forward to providing opportunities to empower young people.”
Fast Retailing, the parent company of Uniqlo, funded the project with contribution of 120m yen ($0.80m).
The initiative is financed through Uniqlo’s PEACE FOR ALL campaign that began in 2022. This campaign directs all profits from charity T-shirt sales to international organisations that implement developmental efforts worldwide.
Plan International (India Chapter) executive director Mohammed Asif said: “With the launch of the new Saksham [Skill] Centre, Plan, along with Uniqlo, will be creating opportunities for young women and men to gain market-oriented skills, secure sustainable livelihoods, and become active contributors to nation building.
“This initiative aligns with our commitment to quality education, gender equality, and work & economic growth. We are grateful to our partner Uniqlo for their support in making this vision a reality.”
Uniqlo employees will further enrich this initiative by engaging directly with the centre’s youth through mentorship and knowledge-sharing sessions aimed at enhancing both their professional and personal competencies.
Through these concerted efforts, Uniqlo aspires to forge a lasting positive impact on young individuals’ lives while fostering a more inclusive and thriving society.
Uniqlo’s first store in India opened in October 2019 and the brand currently has 15 stores in the country.
In its first quarter of fiscal year 2025, Uniqlo’s parent company Fast Retailing registered an increase in operating profit driven by strong demand in the US and Europe for Uniqlo’s “multifunctional wardrobe staples”.
