Minister for Creative Industries and Tourism visits to launch tourism skills development initiatives
On 1 March James Purnell, Minister for Creative Industries and Tourism, makes his very first official visit to the region as Tourism Minister, to launch two new and vital initiatives which address the current challenges facing the tourism industry.
In an event organised by Tourism South East, he will visit Brockenhurst College and, in the company of many of the region's key tourism, training and skills specialists, will launch a brand new Regional Tourism Skills and Workforce Development Strategy. Produced by Tourism South East working in partnership with People 1st and the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), the Strategy has been developed to drive forward skills and learning in the Region to help boost competitiveness for the visitor economy.
The Minister's visit also marks the region's involvement in People 1st's proposals for a National Skills Strategy, currently being discussed by the Skills Summit Group, which the Minister chairs.
The Tourism Skills Strategy responds to the need to increase productivity and profitability - the industry spends millions of pounds each year dealing with high staff turnover and retention problems. It also looks at innovative ways to address the issue of increasing skills gaps and shortages which are hampering growth and business performance. This is of particular importance with key events like the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics on the horizon.
James Purnell will mark the first major success of the partners involved in producing the Strategy during his visit to Brockenhurst College, when he also launches the regional Centre of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) for tourism industries. This is being led by Brockenhurst but involves partners from Abingdon and Witney College, City College, Brighton and Hove, Oxford & Cherwell Valley College, and Chichester College. The intention is to offer specialist and flexible training programmes specifically aimed at tourism employers.
Sue Gill, Head of Skills and Training, Tourism South East, says, 'If the industry is to thrive, we need the right people in the right jobs with the right skills. Working with our partners we aim to make a real difference through implementing actions from the Strategy'.
Says the Minister about this double launch; 'I am very pleased to be able to launch these two new developments for the tourism industry here in the South East. The tourism industry is rightly envied around the world but we must work together to guarantee its future success and keep pace with our competitors - these excellent initiatives will go a long way towards driving up standards and encouraging more people to choose a career in the industry.'
And Michael Snell, Principal of Brockenhurst College adds, 'Tourism is essential to the economy of the South East Region and Brockenhurst College is delighted to be hosting the launch of the Regional Skills strategy. This gives us an excellent opportunity to enhance the skills base of the region through partnership with local employers, the Sector Skills Council People 1st and Tourism South East.'
The Strategy may be seen from 27th February by visiting the Tourism South East website at www.industry.visitsoutheastengland.com
ENDS
For further information please contact Rachel Shimell/Miranda Johnson, RM Communications, on 023 80 732981/01962 890208, email rachel.shimell@ntlworld.com or mirandajohnson@btinternet.com or Jodie Hodge, Tourism South East, on 02380 625502 or email jhodge@tourismse.com
Note to Editors:
Tourism South East represents the tourism industry in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Kent and Surrey
SEEDA is the Government funded Agency responsible for the sustainable economic development and regeneration of the South East of England - the driving force of the UK's economy. Our aim is to create a prosperous, dynamic and inspirational region by helping businesses compete more effectively, training a highly skilled workforce, supporting and enabling our communities while safeguarding our natural resources and cherishing our rich cultural heritage.
Dept for Culture, Media and Sport has responsibility for tourism policy. It aims to increase the productivity of the sector from £75 billion to £100 billion by 2010.
People 1st is the Sector Skills Council for hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism
The LSC (Learning and Skills Council) exists to make England better skilled and more competitive. It has a single goal: to improve the skills of England's young people and adults to make sure we have a workforce that is of world-class standards. The LSC is responsible for planning and funding high-quality vocational education and training for everyone. Our vision is that by 2010, young people and adults in England have the knowledge and skills matching the best in the world and are part of a fiercely competitive workforce. The CoVE for Tourism is a Learning and Skills Council-led initiative which responds to the difficulties faced by the industry in terms of core skills shortages such as communication skills, e-commerce and IT, team working, customer service, supervisory and management skills and practical skills.