A unified sector skills council for the hospitality, passenger transport, and travel industries has been created through the merger of People 1st and GoSkills.
The marriage follows months of “extensive consultation” with businesses across the hospitality, leisure, passenger transport, travel and tourism sectors.
This resulted in “overwhelming support” for the new structure of the sector skills council comprising two members’ councils each with leading employer representation – one focused on passenger transport, travel and tourism, and the other focused on hospitality and leisure.
People 1st and GoSkills will integrate the two organisations and assess joint needs and priorities.
A strategic plan is to be developed during the integration period and will also be informed by the outcome of People 1st’s submission for government funds for future plans.
People 1st chief executive Brian Wisdom said: “I believe that this is the right direction for both organisations in order to best serve the interests of these vibrant and growing sectors.
“This is an exciting time for the industry and we will ensure its voice is heard and provide the leadership it deserves.
“The new body is, for the first time, uniquely placed to deliver a whole and combined sector skills approach to passenger transport, travel and tourism that is closely aligned to hospitality and leisure.
“Bringing together two large customer-facing bodies in the tourist journey creates an opportunity to really upgrade UK PLC’s customer service and integrated travel experience in advance of the Olympics in 2012 and the string of world-class events that will keep the spotlight on the UK through to the Commonwealth Games and the Rugby World Cup in 2015.”
GoSkills chairman Andrew Chivers added: “This is a time of transition and change for both organisations. I believe the future is exciting – combined we are a strong and confident organisation ready for the opportunities and challenges ahead of us.”