Two industry figureheads have become employer champions for the new diploma in travel and tourism.
Passenger Shipping Association director Bill Gibbons and Reed Travel Exhibitions non executive president Tom Nutley will represent the diploma on the Diploma Employers Champions’ Network.
The network, which has 66 members led by Sir Alan Jones of Toyota, has been set up to make sure employers understand the benefits of the range of 17 new diplomas that will be available to 14 to 19 year olds by 2011.
The champions will promote the diploma in the media and at conferences as well as communicating employers’ views to the government.
Diploma project lead John Humphreys said the champions would play a “crucial role”.
“Much of diploma’s success will depend on employer engagement at the teacher training and delivery stage. Bill and Tom will have a vital role in ensuring that employer support is forthcoming.”
Advantage chief executive and Diploma Development Partnership chair John McEwan added: “We are also recruiting the services of other regional employer and higher education champions to support the diploma.”
Over the last four weeks Travel Weekly has been highlighting the issue of travel and skills in the travel industry.