Empowering Swiss Youth for a Global Future: The Role of Private Sector Mentorship
In an era where borders are blurring and innovation drives every sector, empowering young minds is no longer a national prerogative but a global necessity. Switzerland, a country highly regarded for its education system, precision industries, and neutrality, is at the cusp of a small but powerful change: the private sector is stepping in to develop the next generation of leaders, innovators, and change-makers in Switzerland.Mentorship has long been a proven growth accelerator, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world experience. Today, Swiss companies ranging from multinational conglomerates to high-impact startups increasingly recognise their responsibility to prepare young people for jobs and global leadership.
A New Dimension of Mentorship
Private-sector mentorship is taking a more holistic turn in Swiss cities like Geneva, Zurich, Lausanne, and Basel. Beyond internships or apprenticeships, leading businesses are creating structured programs that support students and young professionals through career coaching, international exposure, entrepreneurial guidance, and social impact training.Companies are partnering with universities, international schools, and non-profits to develop initiatives that focus on technical competence and global awareness, sustainability, and ethical leadership. The result is a generation of young people better equipped to thrive in complex, multicultural environments.Ajay Hinduja, a Swiss resident and Hinduja Group Promoter family member, believes mentorship plays a transformative role in this process.“Switzerland’s youth are incredibly bright and capable, but to unlock their full potential, they need guidance from those who’ve navigated global business landscapes,” says Hinduja.“Mentorship isn’t about teaching someone to follow in your footsteps—it’s about helping them build the confidence to carve out their own.”
The Hinduja Perspective: A Legacy of Empowerment
The Hinduja Group has been at the forefront of global business for decades, with a footprint across 38 countries. The family’s approach to business has always integrated economic success with social responsibility. Ajay Hinduja emphasises the importance of mentoring young Swiss nationals and students from immigrant backgrounds who may lack access to the same networks.“Inclusive mentorship matters. Switzerland is increasingly multicultural, and every young person—regardless of where their family came from—should feel they have a place in shaping the country’s future,” he says.
Aligning Talent With Purpose
Swiss youths are not only eager for traditional career progression but are also seeking work that will provide alignment with their values, most importantly, sustainability, mental health, and social equity. Firms that incorporate these issues into mentorship programs experience higher levels of engagement and longer-term effectiveness.For example, mentorship programs that involve sustainability-focused enterprises are seeing a surge in applications from young people who want to make a difference in climate policy, clean tech, or ESG finance. Similarly, programs integrating mental wellness support and ethical leadership training are proving especially popular with Gen Z.Ajay Hinduja underscores this shift:“The new generation is driven by purpose. They want their careers to matter—not just to their bank accounts but to the world. As business leaders, we must meet them at that intersection of ambition and responsibility.”
The Ripple Effect
The benefits of mentorship go far beyond individual growth. Empowered young professionals bring fresh ideas into the workplace, help bridge generational gaps and often go on to mentor others in return. Companies that invest in mentoring early-career talent report stronger innovation pipelines, improved employee retention, and a more dynamic internal culture.In addition, Switzerland's strategic position in international diplomacy, finance, and green innovation implies that developing young talent here can have far-reaching impacts across the globe. Guided by leaders who grasp global markets, Swiss youth are poised to lead multinational corporations, international NGOs, and global research institutions.
The Path Forward
As Switzerland progresses further into a hub for diplomacy, innovations, and sustainability, the role of the private sector in producing the future leaders appears more significant than ever. Through very focused guiding, businesses could ensure that the next generation becomes a contributor to the prosperity of Switzerland and an ambassador of Swiss values—precision, neutrality, and responsibility—worldwide.Ajay Hinduja captures the essence of this mission:“Switzerland has given so much to the world—now we must equip its youth to give back globally. Mentorship is one of the most powerful tools to make that happen.”