72% Of Tourism Employers Open To LGBTQIA+ Apprentices

Workplace inclusion is gaining ground in India, with the tourism, hospitality, electronics, and telecom sectors at the forefront. According to TeamLease’s latest report, 64 per cent of employers are open to hiring LGBTQIA+ apprentices. Tourism and hospitality lead the shift at 72 per cent, indicating a growing commitment to diversity as the industry recognises its role in fostering innovation, customer engagement, and long-term business resilience.

India’s apprenticeship ecosystem is evolving to reflect greater inclusivity, with employers increasingly embracing LGBTQIA+ apprentices as part of their workforce strategies. According to TeamLeas’s Degree Apprenticeship Outlook Report for January to March 2024-25, 64 per cent of surveyed employers expressed willingness to hire LGBTAIA+ Apprentices, while another 24 per cent remained neutral, a signal of growing momentum toward workplace diversity.

The tourism and hospitality sector has emerged as a frontrunner, with over 72 per cent of employers indicating active interest in recruiting LGBTQIA+ apprentices. Biotech, pharma, and life sciences companies follow closely behind at 66 per cent, recognising the positive link between inclusive teams, enhanced service experiences, and better customer relationships.

This trend also mirrors global shifts in workplace culture, where diversity is increasingly seen as an essential driver of creativity, collaboration and retention. Studies indicate that 70% of LGBTQ+ employees believe that openness about their identity has positively impacted career progression, while one in three actively prioritise inclusive workplaces during job searches.

Beyond hospitality, electronics and telecom are also accelerating inclusion. In the electronics sector, 71 per cent of employers have shown intent to onboard LGBTQIA+ apprentices, viewing diversity as integral to driving innovation and problem-solving, especially as India eyes a $500 billion manufacturing output target by 2030—the telecom sector similar enthusiasm with 71 per cent of businesses embedding diversity and inclusion into recruitment frameworks.

Dr Nipun Sharma, CEO of Team Lease Degree Apprenticeship, underlined the relevance of structured initiatives. “Integrating LGBTQIA+ apprentices into India’s workforce marks a progressive shift toward true inclusivity. Tourism electronics and telecom are leading by example, proving that diversity is not just a corporate responsibility but a catalyst for innovation, collaboration and business growth,” Sharma said.

Emerging sectors such as global capability centres and drone technology firms are also prioritising LGBTQIA+ hiring to recruit diverse talent. As apprenticeships become a preferred model for skilling, industry leaders call for broader policy support, mentorship frameworks, and workplace inclusion initiatives. The growing openness to LGBTQIA+ apprenticeships highlights a significant step in reshaping India’s future workforce, where diversity is embedded in business strategy, not treated as an afterthought.

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