Government backs national hospitality academy

Plans for a national hospitality academy have been approved by the Government after People 1st, the sector skills council for hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism, organised a bid for funding for the project.

The Government is to provide £100m to establish the new National Skills Academy for Hospitality.

Minister for skills, David Lammy, said that ensuring the future of the hospitality industry is crucial to the 'success' of the UK economy.

He stated: 'This new academy will not only help the industry stay competitive, but will enable thousands of people to gain the skills and confidence to build successful and rewarding careers.'

Mr Lammy added that the hospitality sector is a 'vibrant and dynamic' industry.

According to the Government, 65,000 students will be trained at the academy over the next five years.

Speaking in 2006, Brian Wisdom, the Chief Executive Officer of People 1st, said the academy provided the chance to be a 'catalyst for continuous improvement' to and beyond London's Olympic Games in 2012.