A key project in raising the level of skills is the UK Skills Passport (UKSP) , which is helping to promote career options in tourism.  This unique web-based resource provides employees and students with a straightforward way of maintaining a record of their skills, experience and qualifications online - invaluable when applying for a job or promotion.  The system then uses this information to reveal skill set gaps along with information on how these can be addressed with further training and development.  A career roadmap feature also shows employees clearly signposted ‘development pathways’ through the sector.

The UKSP is not just a tool for employees.  On the other side of the coin, UKSP makes recruiting, retaining and developing staff much easier for employers.  The Northwest is the second highest region in the UK with 6,000 passports being used so far. There are plans for increasing this further.