Since Tourism Training for Wales (TTfW) was established in 2001, training support arrangements for the tourism sector have changed significantly. In light of these changes, Visit Wales funding for TTfW will cease on 31 March 2010.
The merging of the Wales Tourist Board into the Welsh Assembly Government and the creation of the Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills and its decision to deliver sector based training through the Sector Skills Councils (SSC) represent fundamental changes to the way that training support for tourism will be organised in the future.
Changing circumstances require Visit Wales to change the way that it supports the provision of appropriate and relevant training for the tourism sector in the future. These changes impact directly on the ongoing role of TTfW and the case for continued funding support from Visit Wales. In light of these changes, Visit Wales funding for TTfW will cease on March 31, 2010.
Visit Wales has not taken this decision lightly. Since its formation, TTfW has provided an invaluable service in coordinating and managing the delivery of a range of training initiatives designed to improve competitiveness and profitability within the tourism and hospitality sector in Wales.
The intention is for funding support from Visit Wales to be diverted from TTfW to the four Regional Tourism Partnerships (RTPs). The RTPs will be required to work closely with SSCs to ensure that the skills needs of the industry in their respective regions are delivered effectively and efficiently within affordable limits. We intend to introduce strong regional coordination across the RTPs and put in place appropriate arrangements to maintain industry engagement in the setting of training priorities.
It is hoped that these new arrangements demonstrate Visit Wales’ continued support for a key strategic priority and safeguards the delivery of demand-led skills training, tailored to local needs.
