It is one of a network of some 20 Sector Skills Councils that will replace the former 80-plus National Training Organisations, which were abolished in April 2002.
It brings together employers, trade unions and professional bodies to improve training in a sector that generates more than £42m a year and employs more than 1.6m people. It will benefit from public funding of about £1m a year for three years.
People 1st will represent a wider spectrum of the industry than the Hospitality Training Foundation – as well as hotels, pubs, restaurants, contract caterers and motorway service operators, it will cover visitor attractions, sports clubs, casinos, bingo halls and nightclubs.
'As a Sector Skills Council, we will be able to respond to industry needs, helping deliver what business wants and cracking some of the difficulties faced, whether addressing skills gaps and shortages, improving the suitability of vocational learning at all levels or ensuring that public funding for skills development in the industry is spent where business needs it most', said John Brackenbury, chairman of People 1st.
'People 1st will be employer-led, but employee-aware and customer-conscious', he added.
