Why the Skills Council needs your support
Most operators in hospitality engage themselves, through necessity, in the day-to-day running of their businesses. Activity in the broader scope of the industry is usually limited to membership of a trade association, or a local chamber of commerce. In general, big issues such as the skills shortage, Government recognition and pan-industry training are left to a few senior industry representatives to worry about.
And why not? These are, after all, the men and women with the time, vision and experience needed to cope with areas of theory and policy.
There is a problem with this, however. The broad church of the industry can sometimes lose sight of what's happening in certain areas.
Take education, for example. How many people have remembered that, by the end of this month, hospitality's National Training Organisation (NTO) will have been dissolved? All NTOs are being de-recognised by the Government and are being replaced by Sector Skills Councils (SSCs). Now, in your busyness, you would be forgiven for switching off and turning to the Letters page overleaf. Don't! This needs everyone's attention.
The SSCs are employer-led UK-wide bodies, licensed by Government to identify skills shortages and deliver action plans to tackle them. The aim is to reduce labour turnover, plug holes in the skills map, and help employers and individuals make informed career choices. In return, the Government will commit itself to the development of the industries represented by the SSCs.
It sounds promising. But there is a rocky outcrop to pass before the sailing becomes plain. The Government is setting up only a limited number of SSCs to represent the industries it "deems to be of economic and strategic importance". Currently, there are five SSCs - audio-visual; land-based industries; oil and petroleum; footwear, apparel and textiles; and retail. It is not clear at this stage whether hospitality is of necessary "economic or strategic importance".
The groundwork for setting up an SSC for hospitality (including travel and tourism) has been led by the Hospitality Training Foundation, and a plan to present a "formal expression of interest" to the Government has been drawn up. Stage one goes to Government in mid-April.
It is inconceivable that hospitality will fail to get its own SSC, but there is competition from other industries. One of the key questions the Government will be asking is: "Is this a coherent employment sector where employers are ready to commit themselves to an active SSC?"
Well, is it? Are employers committed? Only operators can answer that question honestly.
It is essential that every sector of the industry gets behind the application for SSC status. Success will demonstrate that the talk last year about this industry being important to the economy was not just hot air. But it will take a sustained, committed and co-ordinated approach by everyone to make it work. If the call comes to contribute, don't say "Sorry, too busy".
Forbes Mutch
EditorCaterer & Hotelkeeper
