25 November 2025 – PNB MetLife India Insurance Company Limited (PNB MetLife) has launched its CSR initiative, ‘FutureReady – Skilling for Employability’, in partnership with AIC GUSEC- Gujarat University Startup and Entrepreneurship Council, and Xcelevate Skills Foundation– a social impact startup.
The program has been designed to empower underprivileged youth with 21st century skills, and support social-impact startups to create inclusive livelihood opportunities. The first batch of 29 beneficiaries has been selected from over 750 nominations. Of these, 23 students are from the state of Tamil Nadu, while the remaining participants are from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana and Chhattisgarh. They will undergo intensive training and mentorship in Chennai to prepare for job placement and income-generation opportunities. These young participants will be the first in their families to secure skilled professional positions, through Xcelevate’s hiring partnership with multinationals, marking a transformative step toward breaking generational barriers.
In addition to skilling youth, the initiative also focuses on nurturing early-stage social-impact startups that emphasize training, mentorship, and employment creation, amplifying the reach and sustainability of the program.
Sameer Bansal, MD & CEO, PNB MetLife said, “FutureReady program is our response to India’s employability challenge, where 83% of the unemployed are youth, despite having education. By creating access to skills and opportunities, we aim to foster inclusion and help individuals build sustainable livelihoods- reflecting PNB MetLife’s purpose of helping people build a more confident future.”
Srinivasa Rao Sureddi, CEO, AIC GUSEC said, “FutureReady is a powerful step towards enabling equitable access to opportunities. At AIC GUSEC, we are committed to nurturing talent and strengthening the innovation ecosystem, especially for communities that have traditionally been left behind. Through this partnership with PNB MetLife and Xcelevate Skills Foundation, we are not only building pathways for youth to become job-ready but also empowering social-impact startups that are creating meaningful livelihood solutions. Together, we aim to unlock potential, inspire ambition, and drive sustainable socio-economic change.”
Umang Doctor, Founder, Xcelevate Skills Foundation said, “Given high unemployment and 75% digital illiteracy amongst the most vulnerable youth, Xcelevate has set out a 30-year vision to elevate excellence for the underprivileged, through inclusive sourcing, future-ready skilling as well as mainstream career placement. This partnership fuels Xcelevate’s ambition to scale the cause.