Introduction

The Tourism Skills Network South West was established in 2001 by Destination Bristol through a South West of England Regional Development Agency initiative to promote the productivity and business competitiveness of the tourism sector in the South West. The Tourism Skills Network works with employers to identify training needs and deliver programmes in partnership with training agencies to improve the skills base and capacity of the workforce, as well as promoting tourism as a career of first choice.

The New project Tourism Skills 2015 has now started and continues to support the tourism industry in the South West Region in the development of skills to enable businesses to improve productivity, competitiveness and profitability.

Our Vision

The Tourism Skills Network Tourism Skills 2015 aims to increase the productivity and competitiveness of the tourism economy in the South West through the development of a skilled and motivated workforce which is committed to providing outstanding service to visitors to the region. This will be achieved through the development of a skills plan which is fully aligned the region’s tourism strategy Towards 2015.

Tourism Skills 2015 will be delivered through four key priorities; Regional skills policy, Regional skills development programme, Regional research and education and Local skills delivery through partnership with DMOs.

The objectives of Tourism Skills 2015 are to:-

•Develop a funding and delivery framework to support tourism skills development activity throughout the region
•Increase the engagement of the sector in relevant and effective training leading to the development of a skilled workforce
•Identify the skills needs of the sector and work closely with education and training providers to meet those needs
•Support Destination Management Organisations (DMOs) in the development of workforce development plans which meet the skills needs of local tourism and hospitality businesses

Funding

The Tourism Skills Network South west is funded by the South West of England Regional Development Agency with additional funding provided locally by the LSC, ESF and other funding partners. The Tourism Skills Network is managed by Destination Bristol and works in partnership with South West Tourism and People 1st.