Tourism Skills Network (TSN)

The Tourism Skills Network South West was established through a SWERDA initiative to promote the productivity and business competitiveness of the tourism sector in the South West. The Tourism Skills Network (TSN) works with employers to identify their training needs and deliver programmes in partnership with training agencies to improve the skills base and capacity of the workforce, as well as promoting tourism as a career of first choice. In recent months we have •conducted and published a survey of training needs and skills gaps. •run customer care courses, •given careers talks at schools and colleges, •grant funded candidates for NVQs , •run a Disability Awareness workshop We are currently working with businesses on a programme of management and vocational training which delivers local training and skills development, sourced or created specifically to fit the business needs brought out by business analysis and benchmarking. As a result of this work we expect to be bringing sales and marketing, customer care, IT, financial management, recruitment & retention, H&S awareness and train the trainer workshops and training sessions out into the wider business community this autumn/winter. If you have a specific training need that you cannot source or find locally enough, do get in touch as we may be able to help. In Cornwall the work of the TSN is steered by the Quality & Training Working Group – a sub group of the Cornwall Tourism Forum. Priscilla Samuel is the Cornwall Co-ordinator, working from the Learning Partnership office in Truro. Tel 01872 260188 email: cornwall@tourismskillsnetwork.org.uk or visit www.cornwall.tourismskillsnetwork.org.uk