Adani Group is looking to expand opportunities for students from tier-3 and tier-4 cities, with a strong focus on tapping young talent from smaller towns to power its next phase of growth, Karan Adani said on Saturday.
Speaking at the Platinum Jubilee (70th) Foundation Day and 20th National Management Day event of the All India Management Association, Karan Adani, Managing Director of Adani Ports and SEZ Limited, highlighted the group’s transformation strategy and workforce roadmap.
He said young people from smaller towns possess strong drive and determination and will play a key role in the conglomerate’s future expansion. The group’s core focus remains on three sectors — energy utilities, logistics including ports and airports, and infrastructure.
Describing energy as the “next big opportunity” in all its forms, Karan Adani noted that the group has been accessing global bond markets for ratings and funding since 2010. He added that the conglomerate is currently undergoing a significant transformation and has committed to investing ₹2 lakh crore annually in Greenfield projects. Speed of execution and the ability to scale rapidly, he said, are critical to the company’s growth ambitions.
On organisational reforms, he said the group — which currently has 16 management layers from the chairman to the lowest level — is working to empower employees at lower levels by granting greater decision-making authority.
Karan Adani also pointed out that the group operates the entire port ecosystem in-house, including equipment operators, truck drivers and maintenance teams. This integrated approach, he explained, was adopted in the early years when established systems were lacking and the company had to build its own operational framework through continuous improvement.
Despite India’s 1.4 billion population, he said, there remains a shortage of skilled manpower. To address this gap, each project emphasises large-scale local hiring and structured skill development in surrounding regions. This model not only ensures timely project delivery but also creates employment opportunities for local youth.
Looking ahead, he said the group aims to reduce the average age of its workforce — currently 38 years — and increase women’s participation, which stands at 15 per cent, as part of its long-term human capital strategy.
