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City College Joins Partners for New Tourism Initiative
9 March 2006
City College Brighton and Hove has formed a partnership with four other Colleges in the South East to meet the regional skills training needs of employers in the tourism and hospitality industries.
The new South East of England Centre of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) in Tourism Industries was recently launched at Brockenhurst College by James Purnell MP, Minister for Creative Industries & Tourism. City College is working alongside Abingdon & Witney College, Oxford & Cherwell Valley College and Chichester College while Brockenhurst College leads the initiative. The new CoVE is already working closely with Tourism South East and People 1st, the Sector Skills Council responsible for tourism and hospitality.
James Purnell MP with students at launch of South East of England CoVE in Tourism Ind
To coincide with the CoVE launch, the Minister also launched the Regional Tourism Skills Strategy which aims to further raise standards in South East Tourism and offer a world class service to customers. Although tourism is an important industry, accounting for seven per cent of the workforce in the South East, more than 12 per cent of workers do not have any nationally-recognised qualifications and 64 per cent of employees do not have a qualification higher than five good GCSEs.
As part of the development of the CoVE over the last 12 months, partner colleges have analysed statistics, commissioned research and gathered information on the labour market through surveys of employers.
James Purnell says:
'Employers want colleges to meet their needs and train people in the skills they require. I am delighted to see the partnership working together so effectively and congratulations to all involved.'
Ann Smith, Principal of City College says:
'Tourism is essential to the economy of Brighton and the South East region and City College is delighted to be part of the new regional Centre of Vocational Excellence. We welcome the opportunity to enhance the skills base of the region through working with local employers and our partners. Young people are at the heart of our future prosperity as are those already employed in the industry. They will benefit significantly from the education and training investment that this programme provides.'
Sue Gill, Head of Skills and Training, Tourism South East, says:
'If the industry is to thrive, we need the right people in the right jobs with the right skills. Working with our partners we aim to make a real difference through implementing actions from the Strategy.'
For further information, please call Brian Bell, Marketing Communications Officer, on 01273 667788 Ext. 488 or email bb1@ccb.ac.uk
About City College Brighton and Hove: Founded over 100 years ago, City College Brighton and Hove has become an international centre of excellence. Every year over 2,000 full-time and 13,000 part time students as well as many international and European students choose City College as their education provider. The College provides training to over 2,000 businesses and has a 'City Business Skills' department which focuses on employers' needs. Offering over 650 courses from basic level to pre-University level, City College is working with its partners to develop the workforce of the future.
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