People 1st receive funding boost to spark economic growth for hospitality businesses

The ambitious two year programme by hospitality skills council People 1st comes just days after the recent revelations that the Government is to itself inject £1bn into a scheme to tackle youth unemployment​.

“With 20 per cent of employers with vacancies and 32,000 managers required every year, 2012 is the perfect time to demonstrate how our sector can help grow the UK’s economy and find direction for the unemployed like no other sector,” said Brian Wisdom, chief executive of People 1st.

The programme aims to raise the standards and develop the skills of those in hospitality businesses, passenger transport, travel and tourism.

“Together hospitality businesses, tourism and passenger transport represent one in ten of the whole of the UK’s workforce,” Wisdom added. “Many employers have already shown their commitment by supporting the bid. “

People 1st intends to fulfill its vision through six strands, with a dedicated website for each:​

• Helping unemployed people into work http://www.people1st.co.uk/business-and-training-support/employment-1st​
• Accelerating social mobility http://www.people1st.co.uk/business-and-training-support/women-1st​
• Professionalising the industry http://www.people1sttraining.co.uk/​
• Achieving economic growth http://www.worldhost.uk.com/​
• Increasing business investment in skills and reducing wasted public expenditure http://www.people1st.co.uk/apprenticeships​
• Aligning employers and stakeholders to deliver sustained growth through skills http://www.people1st.co.uk​

 “I would urge others to join them in a two-year push to transform the industry’s image and reputation,” concluded Wisdom.