Hospitality Guild

People 1st successfully led a bid to the Growth and Innovation Fund (GIF) to create a 21st century guild for the hospitality industry in England.

Awarded the largest funding of any bidding organisation, the bid has been praised for its ambition and innovation. It is a timely initiative, which will build on our work to date as a sector skills council in overhauling the qualification system, simplifying career pathways and raising professional standards.

A concerted effort from those committed to skills, the Hospitality Guild will draw on the expertise of People 1st, the National Skills Academy for Hospitality, BII, the Institute of Hospitality, Springboard UK, AICR, the Academy of Culinary Arts, the Academy of Food and Wine Service, the Professional Association of Catering Educators and the Worshipful Company of Innholders. By working together, the Guild will provide a single authoritative voice on hospitality skills to Government.

“Guilds are an example of a longstanding truth whose time was once, and whose time has come again... I hope the Hospitality Guild can be a model for other sectors to build prosperity in order for this country to succeed.”

John Hayes MP, Minister for Skills

The Hospitality Guild will be passionate about skills and ambitious in its desire to transform the productivity and reputation of the sector. It will improve access to skills training and skilled staff for employers and strive to make the sector more competitive and attractive to new recruits.

Skills development and career progression are at the heart of the vision: ease of access, greater awareness and increased uptake of the relevant provision are the foundation stones.

It will build the professional pride of people working in the hospitality industry: pride in craft, technical and management skills; pride in delivering outstanding customer service; and pride in a job well done. And it will tell this story to people looking for exciting and rewarding careers in a growing and dynamic industry.

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