Supporting the skills needs for our region

Nov 20 2007

DEVELOPING a skills partnership approach, the North East Tourism Strategic Alliance (NETSA) has joined forces to combat the skills shortages within the region.

Working together, members of NETSA, One NorthEast, Learning and Skills Council, Jobcentre Plus, Business Link, North East Employer Coalition and Centre of Vocational Excellence, as well as local university representation, have a vision to raise regional productivity, skills levels, and economic competitiveness through effective partnership alliances.

By focusing on establishing a tourism and leisure sector specific based structure, key partners are able to
understand and implement their lead and support roles in the region’s skills and business development strategy.

Karen Couzins from People 1st, the sector skills for the hospitality and tourism sector, has agreed to facilitate this strategic partnership in the North-East. She believes NETSA will support its own objectives to improve the image of the leisure sector as a serious career option for people of all ages so that we can attract an appropriately skilled workforce for the future as well as benefit businesses so they are productive and informed about employment practices and training opportunities in their area.

The regional plan outlines agreed partnership activity, and will reflect the focused approach from the National Skills Strategy for Hospitality, Leisure and Tourism. The partners have also fully endorsed The UK Skills Passport which is a central resource for skills information, for both the employer and employee.

One example, where this is already working is the regional employer-led pilot project ‘Farm to Fork’ which will utilise the advantages of the Skills Passport.

This initiative was the original idea of award-winning chef Kevin Mulraney of Pinchinthorpe Hall in Tees Valley. He was responding to the well documented skills shortages in the hospitality industry and he felt a scheme such as this could further enhance his workforce.

The project aims to provide the unemployed participants with generic and sector specific skills, as well as the benefit of the industry recognised Skills Passport. Following the training, the ultimate aim for all participants will be to obtain paid employment.