Travel employers are being urged to give their views on the proposed merger of sector skills councils People 1st and GoSkills.
People 1st represents the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism sectors, while GoSkills represents the passenger transport industry including the aviation, rail, bus and coach sectors. If merged, one sector skills council would represent all these sectors at government level. Both are tasked with improving skills of staff working in the various industries.
The merger has been prompted by reductions in government funding and the current economic climate. GoSkills’ licence has been extended – rather than renewed – so that it can undertake a strategic review of its future.
GoSkills chair Andrew Chivers said: “I believe that a merger with People 1st offers the passenger transport sector a secure future. It ensures the continuation of progress made over the past ten years by all the team at GoSkills, raising skills within our industries and campaigning on their behalf.”
A spokewoman could not comment on whether GoSkills’ future was under threat if the merger did not go ahead.
Brian Wisdom, chief executive of People 1st, would head up the combined council. He said: “A merger will enrich the offerings across both of our sectors, allowing for a more integrated approach to skills development in areas of passenger transport and travel and tourism, closely aligned to hospitality and leisure.
“These are areas where there is significant employer overlap and evident synergy between our organisations, particularly the need for customer service and leadership and management skills.”
People1st has more than 50 staff and is based in Uxbridge, while Birmingham-based GoSkills has no more than 30 staff. The latter employs mostly home workers. No decision has been made on the future of individuals’ job roles as a result of the proposed merger.
The proposal has been approved subject to industry consultation, and is due to go ahead in mid-June. A final merger decision would be endorsed by the trustees of People 1st, the employer board of GoSkills, and the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES).
Employers can make their voice heard at people1stsurveys.co.uk/hptt or email yourvoice@goskills.org.