Home > News > April 2008 > 23 April 2008

Minister to attend passenger transport skills conference

Skills minister David Lammy MP is to make the keynote speech this Thursday at the '20/20 Vision for Passenger Transport Skills Conference' which has been organised by GoSkills, the sector skills council for passenger transport.

Speaking ahead of the conference Mr Lammy said: "Passenger transport plays a vital role in our economy, enabling people to get to work, access essential services and visit leisure and tourist sites.

"To meet public expectations the sector needs competent staff, and must provide relevant and recognised qualifications and consistent, sustainable career options. This can only be achieved through high quality training, at all levels.

"The Government is committed to raising skills levels across the sector and, through initiatives like Train to Gain, we are helping thousands of people gain qualifications, many for the first time. However, we cannot achieve our ambitions unless employers get on board, making full use of the programmes we have put in place and working with bodies like GoSkills to identify and meet skills needs."

The conference will examine the changes affecting the Passenger Transport Sector looking at the role of the sector skills councils and the impact of Train to Gain and the Skills Pledge.

GoSkills' chief executive, Peter Huntington, said: "GoSkills has organised this conference to help the sector plan for the future and showcase our new strategy and what employers and operators are already doing in partnership with GoSkills to raise skills.

"We believe there are significant challenges ahead from increasing the overall level of basic skills, to improving management and leadership and promoting positive career paths.

"New qualifications at all levels offer opportunities for the sector to sell itself to recruits. The industries in our sector have a lot to offer new people but a lot to lose if they do not grasp the skills nettle."

The 20/20 Vision for Passenger Transport Skills Conference takes place on Thursday April 24 2008 at Sadler's Wells Theatre, Rosebery Avenue, London.

External links

GoSkills

Train to Gain

The Skills Pledge

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