HTF launches five-year strategy for skills crisis

The Hospitality Training Foundation (HTF), acting in its capacity as a Government-appointed National Training Organisation (NTO), has launched a five-point, five-year strategy designed to "tackle the skills and employment issues facing UK hospitality".

Called the Workforce Development Plan, the strategy builds on the NTO's 1998 Education and Training Strategy, which analysed the problems of recruitment and skills learning in the industry.

According to HTF chief executive and NTO director Declan Swan, the new plan has five specific aims: to improve the image of hospitality; to engage employers in learning; to increase the uptake of qualifications; to promote hospitality careers and to ensure the availability of a skills intelligence to support the future strategic development of training.

The idea is to involve employers, further education institutions, awarding bodies, trades unions, professional associations and the Government in a co-ordinated development of training opportunities in the industry. Specific action points are to be worked out by all parties at a local level.

At the half-day launch event in London last week, dubbed the Skills Summit, Swan called for the support of employers but also of the policy-making and funding agencies for post-16 learning across the UK. In England this is the Learning Skills Council.

"Their backing is essential if the plan is to be translated into training and resources that will be of lasting benefit to the industry," said Swan.

The NTO will agree with partners in the scheme targets that will be monitored regularly. The Government will receive regular analysis and results will be published every year.

by Forbes Mutch