People 1st and GoSkills merge to provide ‘strong voice for the industry’

This follows extensive consultations over the past few months with businesses across the hospitality, leisure, passenger transport, travel and tourism sectors. The consultation has resulted in overwhelming support from the whole industry and formal approval by the council of members of People 1st, the industry boards of GoSkills, and the UK Commission for Employment and Skills. Brian Wisdom, chief executive of People 1st 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." The new structure of the sector skills council will comprise two members' councils each with leading employer representation – one focused on passenger transport, travel and tourism, and the other focused on hospitality and leisure. Over the coming months, People 1st and GoSkills will work closely to integrate the two organisations and assess joint needs and priorities. A strategic plan will 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. Andrew Chivers, chair of GoSkills, 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."