The National Skills Strategy for the tourism and hospitality sector in England was launched in London today.

The People 1st led initiative, dubbed Raising the Bar, is a 10-point action plan to help employers raise customer service standards with training and tackle the sector’s chronic skills problems.

It focuses on four key areas: retention, management and leadership, customer service and chef skills. 

Around 5,000 businesses have contributed to the strategy, based on what is claimed to be the largest piece of labour market research into the sector undertaken in decades.

Speaking at the launch , tourism minister Shaun Woodward said: “This is the first skills strategy for tourism. It brings together government, industry and the education sector in a drive to overhaul training and qualifications. This is a fantastic opportunity to boost skill levels and change attitudes towards training.”

A consultation period on the proposals contained within The National Skills Strategy will run until the publication of a finalised action plan, the National Skills Agreement, for the entire UK at the end of April.

This will also contain the bespoke National Skills Strategies for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Visit People 1st or call 0870 060 2550 for further information. 

Skills passport website >> 

British Hospitality Association boss questions skills plan >>

Don Davenport returns to People 1st >>

Travel industry claims People 1st is ignoring the sector >>

Lord Leitch's skills report welcomed by People 1st >>

See more news on skills here >> 

By Chris Druce
 

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