Supporting businesses to build, develop and retain skilled workforces

We’re a trusted partner to employers, industry bodies, skills organisations, donor funders, NGOs, investment banks and governments, with over 50 years’ experience in skills development and technical vocational education and training.

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What we can help you with

Workforce insights

Our deep insights into the current and future skills needs are fostered out of the strong relationships we hold with industry to give us real-time intelligence into the workforce disruptions and challenges, innovative approaches and practical solutions industry needs.

Enabling collaboration

We bring together industry, associations, national stakeholders and governments with a passion for skills development to work collaboratively to identify the skills priorities for the sector and create industry-endorsed strategies that develop skilled and valued workforces. The connections we forge between employers and education help align skills to businesses' needs, ensuring an excellent source of future talent.

Skills standards development

We are at the forefront of developing apprenticeship, professional and occupational standards,working with employers to define the skills, knowledge and behaviours needed for today’s workforce. Uniquely, we also support industry in maintaining the ongoing quality of standardsand apprenticeships through robust quality assurance models.

Expert consultancy

Our team of expert international consultants support countries with a true thirst for professional development, who are passionate about helping young people, challenging social and gender exclusion, addressing the barriers to work and supporting continuous professional development of the existing workforce. We specialise in developing Technical & Vocational Education Training(TVET) strategies, helping to set out the strategic direction of skills development at an industry, local, regional or national level.

Practical, responsive solutions

As the industry expert in skills, we offer a wide range of support and sustainable, practical solutions that are developed in collaboration with employers to help businesses maximise the potential of their workforce. Our products and services, such as our WorldHost programme,career pathway tool and suite of training and assessment services are trusted by organisations globally to deliver results through an innovative, human and transformative approach.

Latest news

The British Council and People 1st International launch public voting for the ‘Creative Spark’ Big Idea Challenge 2021

People 1st International have joined forces with the British Council in the largest digital pitch competition, the Creative Spark Big Idea Challenge, that provides thousands of students in Central Asia, South Caucasus and Ukraine with the opportunity to develop and present their own business ideas and enterprise skills.

07/07/2021

New tourism & hospitality job portal launches in Jordan to support employers in rebuilding the workforce

Ahlan.Jobs, a new online job platform dedicated to the tourism and hospitality industry in Jordan, has launched to give businesses a solution to showcase their opportunities and secure skilled talent.

07/07/2021

86% of hospitality students remain committed to a career in the industry but work-life balance, pay and development highlighted as critical to retention

A survey by People 1st International with hospitality students reveals their commitment to the industry despite ongoing disruption due to Covid, helping reassure industry leaders of a future pipeline of skilled talent. However, work-life balance, pay and learning & development lead as critical factors for attracting and retaining this talent pool.

01/07/2021

New management and sales training programmes launch at Almaza Recruitment & Training Centre to develop skills of hospitality & retail employees

Two new vocational training programmes aimed at retail, hospitality and tourism businesses have launched at Almaza Recruitment and Training Centre (ARTC) to upskill employees in sales and management.

31/05/2021

How West Suffolk College has continued nurturing future talent for hospitality through the pandemic

Our research shows that despite the ongoing disruption across the hospitality industry due to Covid-19, 86% of hospitality students remain committed to a career in the industry. To understand the types of activities colleges have been undertaking to retain student engagement and stimulate their passion for the industry, we spoke to Claire Waterson, Operations Manager at the Culinary Arts Academy at West Suffolk College to discover their approach over the last 12 months.

Andy Doyle

12/07/2021

Latin America & the Caribbean: Why a collaborative skills development response is critical to recovery

For developing countries, the economic and social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in the form of nationwide business closures, lockdown and mobility restrictions have been sudden and severe. Poverty and the increased economic and social exclusion of marginalised communities, young people and women are major risks. Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) are also being impacted by fallout from the US economy as well as the lack of tourism which they depend heavily upon.

Jane Rexworthy

29/04/2021

Top tips on becoming a virtual trainer

In today’s environment, virtual training delivery and facilitation are critical skills for trainers. Even for those with experience, running training sessions using web-based platforms is a completely different experience to classroom, training room or face to face delivery.

So what are the aspects you need to consider when transitioning to virtual delivery?

Mark Smith

18/03/2021

The global re-set – training and development for a better world

It’s clear that we have the opportunity to create a fairer, more equitable world of work based on investment in diversity, good pay, better training and improved job and career prospects. It’s also evident that the re-set can also be used to devise strategies for the future, and to train people with the skills required to help achieve these plans. How can a collaborative approach help to ensure a more positive future?