The Visitor Economy Board has fully endorsed the latest Liverpool City Region Skills Initiative – the Visitor Economy Passport Scheme, by formally pledging their support in signing the Employer Charter.
The scheme was officially launched recently at Hugh Baird College, and was well attended by local employers, colleges and local authorities, who showed their backing by also signing the charter.
Building on the success of Visitor Economy Week, the Visitor Economy (VE) ‘Passport to Success’ is aimed at college students across the Liverpool City Region (LCR) coming into the tourism industry.
Students will be able to achieve a bronze, silver or gold passport standard which will provide them with a range of opportunities to either gain quality work experience, an interview, apprenticeship or even a full-time job.
The scheme works by employers signing up to the VE Passport Employer Charter which provides opportunities for all level two and three students taking VE related courses. It will give particular focus on improving foreign language skills, enhancing destination awareness, customer service skills, aptitude and attitude.
This initiative is a collaboration between each of the seven Further Education Colleges in the City Region, the Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and People 1st – the National Skills Agency. It is an exciting opportunity for employers and skill providers to work together and develop a clear progression path for the students working in or entering the industry.
Sara Wilde McKeown, Chair of the LCR Visitor Economy Board said: “There is no doubt that this is an exciting opportunity for our employers and skills providers to work proactively together and show a clear progression path for young people either working in, or entering the industry. The city region’s colleges have worked effectively to equip students with skills through the Liverpool City Region skills for growth agreement, and now it is time for employers in the sector to play their part.”
Natasha Mealor, Visitor Economy Executive, from the Liverpool City Region LEP said: “Since the creation of the Skills Strategy Group, three years ago, the LEP and colleges have engaged and listened to employers about their skills needs. What we found was employers often don’t always have access to students with the skills that make them ready for work, often meaning jobs are left unfilled. The passport scheme responds directly to these issues by creating an innovative partnership between the colleges and employers with a clear pathway to employment and development of work ready skills.
“In our growing industry it is also important that those studying for a career in the VE sector have a range of incentives that will help them develop their skills before being employed.”
For more information and to get involved please go to – www.visitoreconomyweek.co.uk