Member Article

Hugh Baird give backing to tourism sector skills

Merseyside’s visitor economy will receive a boost from a set of new tourism and hospitality courses launched at Bootle-based Hugh Baird college.

Liverpool Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has prioritised the visitor economy as one of its four key growth areas, and it is currently worth £3bn to the region.

Hugh Baird’s principal Yana Williams has said there are a vast number of opportunities for people across all ages and academic abilities within tourism and hospitality, although she put an emphasis on the need to continually train to meet the demands of changes within the sector.

Ms Williams commented: “Hugh Baird is determined to throw its weight behind the LEP’s visitor economy strategy.

“To that end we are launching new Hospitality and Catering and Travel and Tourism qualification programmes to help grow the skill base on Merseyside.

“Our approach is twofold we want to give first class rigorous training to young people, the future workforce, who want to crack the sector.

“Secondly we want to work with businesses to up skill existing workers to ensure their skills are bang up to date. This enables the business to react quickly and grow with the sector as it evolves and moves forward.”

A wide range of disciplines will be covered by the college’s new courses, from training for chefs and concierges, to tourism sales and marketing staff, resort reps and cabin crew

Ms Williams added: “This new package will offer an extensive selection of courses and qualifications to people of all ages.

“The Hospitality and Catering and Travel and Tourism courses are available to people aged from 14 to adults.

“The courses range from introductory-level qualifications to the more advanced extended diplomas which can lead on to Higher Education.

“Moreover specialist programmes are available for senior staff and managers who already work in the sector. We can work closely with employers to design courses to meet their needs.”

Liverpool’s LEP estimates that by 2023 the visitor economy will be worth £4.3 billion to the region, creating employment for around 57,000 people. It currently attracts 4.6 million tourists a year and supports around 43,000 jobs.

Ms Williams continued: “We are in a tremendous position because the Liverpool City Region is one of the prime visitor destinations in the UK.

“And that position is set to consolidate and get stronger. Liverpool is already seeing an impressive increase in four-star and boutique hotels, commercial leisure attractions and independent restaurants.

“Hugh Baird’s new training package provides widely recognised qualifications to help people reach the formidable standards required to maintain and build on the sector’s success.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Miranda Dobson .