Government Minister to Launch Tourism Skills Development Initiatives

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. October 14, 2008

UNITED KINGDOM, February 27, 2006. 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 industry.visitsoutheastengland.com