Reimagining Skill Assessments in Tourism & Hospitality: Inside THSC’s Strategic Forum in New Delhi
In a sector where service quality defines success, credible skill assessments are the backbone of a future-ready tourism and hospitality workforce. Recognising this, the Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council (THSC) hosted a high-impact strategy forum in New Delhi, bringing together assessment agencies, policymakers, and technology partners under one roof.
Held on 27 January 2026 at the India Habitat Centre, the forum revolved around a powerful and timely theme:
“Reimagining Skill Assessments: Challenges, Compliance, and the Power of AI.”
Setting the Tone: Why Assessment Quality Matters More Than Ever
Opening the session, Mr. Rajan Bahadur, CEO, THSC, set a clear direction for the day. As skilling initiatives expand across regions and job roles, he highlighted the urgent need for consistency, transparency, and continuous improvement in assessment systems.
His message was simple yet strong:
Assessments must evolve at the same pace as industry expectations—without compromising credibility.
Strengthening the Core of Credible Assessments
A key highlight of the forum was a special address by Mr. Mahendra Payaal, Executive Vice President, National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). He broke down the pillars of trustworthy assessments, focusing on:
Strong governance frameworks
Standardisation across job roles
Outcome-based evaluation aligned with industry needs
His session reinforced the critical role assessment agencies play in safeguarding trust within India’s national skilling ecosystem.
What NSDC Expects from Assessment Agencies in 2026 and Beyond
Adding further depth, Ms. Elizabeth David, DGM, NSDC, shared NSDC’s evolving expectations from empanelled assessment agencies. Her insights touched upon:
Strict adherence to assessment standards
Building and maintaining a qualified assessor pool
High-quality question banks
Operational discipline and compliance
Responsible and effective use of AI in assessments
The emphasis was clear: technology should enhance integrity, not dilute it.
Real Conversations, Real Challenges
An interactive discussion with assessment agencies brought practical challenges to the forefront, including:
Shortage and standardisation of assessors
Preventing malpractice and ensuring assessment integrity
Operational and logistical constraints in remote regions
The conversation also explored technology-led solutions such as remote proctoring, automated evaluations, continuous quality monitoring, and data privacy safeguards—topics increasingly critical in large-scale assessments.
Technology in Action: Platforms Powering Scalable Assessments
Leading assessment technology providers showcased live demonstrations of their platforms, including:
SHL
Mercer | Mettl
EduVantage
Their solutions highlighted how AI-enabled assessments can deliver scalability, efficiency, and quality assurance—without losing the human touch essential to hospitality skills.
Celebrating Excellence and Shared Commitment
The forum concluded on a celebratory note with a Prize Distribution Ceremony, recognising top-performing assessment agencies from the previous year. Closing remarks and a networking lunch provided space for collaboration and idea exchange.
The Bigger Picture: Building Trust in Tourism & Hospitality Skills
More than just a meeting, the THSC forum reaffirmed a collective commitment to credible, compliant, and industry-aligned skill assessments. As tourism and hospitality continue to recover and grow, such initiatives ensure that India’s workforce remains skilled, trusted, and globally competitive.
In a people-driven industry, strong assessments don’t just test skills—they shape futures.
