ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION COUNCIL (ETC) APPOINTS DR PAWAN KUMAR SHARMA, SENIOR LEARNING & PROGRAM MANAGER AT SWIGGY, AS HON. DIRECTOR OF TDI PROGRAMS TO STRENGTHEN PROJECT SANKOFA

DR PAWAN KUMAR SHARMA - Director of TDI Programs at Economic Transformation Council

The Economic Transformation Council (ETC) is honored to welcome DR Pawan Kumar Sharma, a distinguished Learning & Development leader and Senior Learning & Program Manager at Swiggy, as an Honorary Director of Talent Development & Internship Programs (TDIP). With over 14 years of experience in corporate training, talent strategy, competency

frameworks, and leadership development, his expertise will be invaluable in driving the mission of Project Sankofa. This honorary role is part of ETC’s initiative to bring together industry professionals who can contribute their insights and leadership towards strengthening employability and internship opportunities. Pawan Kumar Sharma, continues his professional career while moonlighting in a strategic advisory capacity to Project Sankofa, an initiative designed to create structured career pathways for students across India.

With extensive experience in designing and executing workforce transformation programs, he has successfully built learning ecosystems that integrate corporate needs with career development. His leadership at Swiggy has resulted in impactful training programs, developed gamified business simulations for leadership training, and introduced AI-based learning pathways to optimize skill-building. His academic background, holding a Ph.D. and M.Phil in Human Resource Management, combined with his practical industry expertise, makes him uniquely positioned to contribute to Project Sankofa’s vision of bridging the gap between academia and industry.

His involvement in Project Sankofa will focus on scaling the initiative’s structured internship programs, ensuring that students from both premier institutions and Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities gain access to meaningful and high-quality work experiences. His contributions will include expanding partnerships with leading organizations to facilitate student placements, creating structured learning pathways that integrate real-world projects and mentorship, and ensuring that internships are accessible to students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds. With a deep commitment to career mentorship, he has worked closely with educational institutions such as IIBM-Patna, where he has guided students in building resumes, preparing for interviews, and understanding how to navigate their career trajectories.

Project Sankofa, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) under ETC, is designed to connect students with structured internships, industry mentorship, and career-building resources through a digital-first approach that ensures scalability and accessibility. The initiative aims to develop a sustainable workforce ecosystem that aligns academic learning with real-world industry expectations. Under Pawan Kumar Sharma’s leadership, Project Sankofa will continue strengthening its position as an industry-academia bridge, equipping students with the necessary skills and professional exposure to succeed in the evolving job market.

Mohamed Amjad Padiyath, Managing Director of ETC, expressed confidence in Pawan Kumar Sharma’s ability to bring significant value to the initiative. He highlighted his expertise in workforce transformation and his commitment to developing structured, competency-driven internship models that will have a lasting impact on employability outcomes. His insights will play a key role in shaping Sankofa’s engagement with industry partners, ensuring that students graduate with the skills and experience needed to transition seamlessly into the workforce.

The Economic Transformation Council congratulates Pawan Kumar Sharma on his appointment and looks forward to his valuable contributions in shaping the next generation of professionals. His leadership in internship innovation, industry engagement, and structured learning frameworks will be instrumental in driving ETC’s mission to revolutionize workforce development through Project Sankofa.