People 1st goes into administration

Sector skills council for the bus and coach industry, People 1st, has entered administration.

People 1st is the skills and talent management sector skills organisation for hospitality, retail, passenger transport, travel and tourism in the UK. It has led the development work on the new apprenticeship standards and is the External Quality Assurance (EQA) body for apprenticeships through sector employer leadership.

The Workforce Development Trust, a not for profit company committed to helping organisations raise performance and outcome through the development of their workforce, has acquired key strategic elements of People 1st. This acquisition is expected to allow People 1st to continue as a standalone organisation, enabling it to continue focussing on its key activities including apprenticeships, EQA, accreditation services and work in the devolved nations and international markets.

Press coverage had focused on the potentially damaging loss of People 1st’s apprenticeship services and its EQA role. This aspect of the organisation’s work has been preserved in its entirety and further investment was promised to be put into this area over the summer. Chairs of the EQA Apprenticeship Boards have supported the transfer.

CEO, People 1st, Simon Tarr, said: “I am extremely proud of the People 1st staff and their genuine commitment and dedication to supporting employers in the visitor economy to benefit from high quality skills solutions. Working to facilitate the development of over 20 new apprenticeship standards has been a key achievement, as is the work we have done to support employers through the changes to apprenticeships and the numerous successful international contracts we have. WDT and People 1st share a common vision and have similar values, so becoming part of the WDT Group is an ideal solution for our clients and our people.”