The Diploma in Travel and Tourism appoints two major industry figureheads as employer champions

The appointment of two major industry figureheads as employer champions for the diploma in travel and tourism highlights the growing support for the development of the diploma across industry.

Sixty-six becomes sixty eight, the Diploma in Travel and Tourism, one of the 17 new Diplomas that make up part of 14-19 government reforms programmes being introduced to schools and colleges across the country has received major support from two leading figureheads within the Hospitality, Leisure, Travel and Tourism industry.

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William Gibbons, Director of Passenger Shipping Association, and Tom Nutley, non-Executive president of Reed Travel Exhibitions, were recently announced as the new employer champions for the Diploma in Travel and Tourism which is being developed by both People1st, the sector skills council for travel and tourism and Goskills, the sector skills council for passenger transport respectively.

Mr. Gibbons and Mr. Nutley, will join 66 other DECN, (Diploma Employers Champion Network) that are made up of national employers, public sector representatives and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), set up to ensure that employers get a clear understanding of the 14-19 Diploma benefits and opportunities, and to encourage and support further long term employer involvement in Diplomas.

The DECN, is led by Sir Alan Jones of Toyota and consists of employers both large and small representing various industries across the board and includes companies such as Vodafone, BT, Nsure, Hyatt Regency, CB&I, Compass Group and Rolls Royce. With the appointment of Mr. William Gibbons and Mr. Tom Nutley, Passenger Shipping Association and Reed Travel Exhibitions will be the latest employers to join this growing list of DECN’s, making the sixty six DECN, sixty eight

The appointment was welcomed by Brian Wisdom, Chief Executive of People1st, the Sector Skills Council for Travel and Tourism who said, “I’m delighted to endorse their appointment. To have two such respected industry figures as the employer champions for the Diploma in Travel and Tourism, further underlines the support and encouragement that the Diploma Development partnership has received from its stakeholders. This further highlights the commitment to ensure that the Diploma is indeed at the forefront of the Governments 14-19 reforms.”

Diplomas have been designed by employers for employers so that young people are better prepared for work. The Diploma in Travel and Tourism which is currently in Phase three of three stages of its development will be rolled out to schools and colleges in September 2010. They are part of a major reform of education for 14 to 19-year-olds, and will prove invaluable to employers within the industry. Employers will benefit from well-rounded new recruits who have the right mix of general employment skills and broad sector knowledge prior to entering the workforce. Employers like Passenger Shipping Association and Reed Travel Exhibitions who get involved with the Diplomas, are making sure young people get the skills they need for their business in the future.

The Diploma in Travel and Tourism as with other Diplomas will provide an exciting, stretching and relevant programme of learning for all young people and will have pathways to accommodate a wide range of aspirations. They will take a young person wherever they want to go, whether that is to further education or onto the world of work, and will help young people of all abilities realise their potential. Undoubtedly, learners need the education to thrive in a constantly changing global economy. The Diplomas brings together employers and educators to help prepare learners for life and work and will help young people understand specific sectors as well as giving them the skills that will help them to work in a wide range of careers.

"We are enthusiastic about the appointment of the two new employer champions, William Gibbons and Tom Nutley who will be supporting the Diploma in Travel and Tourism on a national level by joining the Diploma Employers' Champion Network. Their support will prove invaluable in contributing to the success of the Diploma and they will play a crucial role not only in promoting the Diploma in Travel and Tourism, but the Diplomas as a whole.

Our stakeholders have high expectations of the Diploma in Travel and Tourism, and much of its success will depend on employer engagement at the teacher training and delivery stage.

Bill and Tom bring a significant amount of knowledge and experience of industry to the table, and will have a vital role to play in ensuring that employer support is forthcoming. Their role alongside the support of ITT, ABTA, the Tourism Society and other trade and professional groups, will ensure the Diploma in Travel and Tourism project team achieve their vision, and that the qualification is a success when rolled out to schools and colleges in September 2010" John Humphreys, the Diploma in Travel and Tourism Project Lead.

People1st Skills Council is the Sector Skills council for Hospitality, Travel and Tourism.

Contact: John Humphreys, Project Manager, The Diploma in Travel and Tourism
john.humphreys@people1st.co.uk or telephone Louise Liburd, Diploma Co-ordinator on 01895 817041