The Northwest Tourism Sector Skills and Productivity Alliance (SSPA) was established to bring together the key funding and planning partners, in order to develop a skills and business development strategy for the Tourism sector.

The vision is to “raise regional productivity, skills levels and economic competitiveness through effective partnership alliances.”  
Two of the main objectives for the SSPA are to:

• influence mainstream funding for learning and skills in the sector, and
• to help the integration of workforce development within the five Tourist Boards in the region.

The sector-based structure enables key partners to understand and implement their lead and support role in the region’s skills and tourism development strategy and action plan.

The Tourism SSPA is chaired by Mike Wilkinson, Chief Executive of Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board and members comprise of representatives from Business Link , Job Centre Plus , the North West Universities Association , People 1st , the Learning and Skills Council and the Further and Higher Education sector.