Charles Clarke, secretary of state for education and skills, has announced the licensing of People 1st to become the Sector Skills Council for the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism industries.

Clarke said: “Productivity in these industries is held back by skills and training needs. Becoming a Sector Skills Council puts People 1st at the heart of the skills debate and gives it the voice needed to engage with government, business and the educating bodies.

“It will have the power to influence investment in skills at both a national and regional level, improving the nature and structure of training to the benefit of employers and employees.”

People 1st was officially launched 19th May by Lord Sainsbury, parliamentary under-secretary of state and Richard Caborn, minister for sport and tourism, at Gala Group’s The Barracuda casino in London.

The organisation’s remit is to represent the sector on skills issues in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, and to drive productivity through skills development.

Over the next five years its mission is to have an impact on increased completion rates for qualifications and learning programmes, investment in training, employee skill levels, productivity levels and reduced staff turnover through lifelong career development.

John Brackenbury, chair of People 1st, said: “This is a dynamic and fast moving industry. If it is to achieve its full potential there is a clear need for access to the right training and funding to improve skills and productivity.

“As a Sector Skills Council, we will be able to respond to industry needs, helping deliver what business wants and cracking some of the difficulties faced, whether addressing skills gaps and shortages, improving the suitability of vocational learning at all levels or ensuring that public funding for skills development in the industry is spent where business needs it most.”

Tourism minister, Richard Caborn, said: “The Sector Skills Council is a milestone for our tourism industry. It will help to make sure that businesses get the skills they need and workers get the career opportunities they want, in an efficient, effective way.

“This will boost competitiveness and quality, bringing real benefits to the consumer and improving the industry’s long term economic performance.”

At the launch on Wednesday, food was created and served by trainee chefs and waiters from the newly opened restaurant, Hoxton Apprentice. Details: www.people1st.co.uk