HCTC to lead training study

The hospitality industry has been awarded £50,000 by the Government to fund a study into training needs, part of a £500,000 initiative across 10 sectors of the UK workforce.

The Hotel & Catering Training Company (HCTC), after succeeding in its bid for the money on behalf of the hospitality sector, is co-ordinating the efforts to find targets that each part of the hospitality industry can meet.

"This isn't just about setting targets for the sake of it. It's about finding ways of raising the business performance levels in our industry," said Anne Walker, director of research at the HCTC.

The Government money, awarded by the National Advisory Council for Education and Training Targets, is being matched by a contribution in kind from industry and trade associations, which will work together to set standards for achieving training levels across the workforce.

"The industry needs realistic and achievable targets, which will provide some measurable - or at least visible - improvement to their business," said David Harbourne, chief executive at the HCTC.