About: Business & Skills development.

The Partnership's Business and Skills Development role is to ensure that all tourism related businesses, irrespective of size or sector, have the necessary skills and resources for success. It seeks to improve the quality of the visitor experience through the development of practical and business skills among tourism employees and business owners. 

Business and Skills Development also supports the work of other agencies in raising the profile of tourism and hospitality as a career choice and improving the quality of entrants into the industry.

Business and Skills Development works with trade organisations, local councils, regional tourist boards, the Learning and Skills Council and the regional development agency to design appropriate development strategies and training.

Since 1995 the Partnership has attracted more than £5m external funding into the region enabling more than 5,000 individuals and 900 tourism businesses to engage in subsidised training and business support.

In 2006 the Partnership were also contracted to manage the Dorset Retail Skillshop. This activity provides for the retail industry what the Partnership does for tourism and hospitality - skills training and business support.

The Business and Skills Development team are based at Bournemouth Council and report to the Head of Tourism for Bournemouth.

For the funding history of Business and Skills Development, click here (PDF)