Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to promote (a) viable, (b) long-term and (c) year-round careers in the heritage and tourism sector to (i) young people and (ii) lifelong learners.

The diverse range of jobs in the heritage and tourism sectors can bring fulfilment and enjoyment to those who perform them as well as helping to share our rich heritage and fantastic destinations with the widest possible audience, and preserve them for the benefit of future generations.

The Government’s arm’s-length bodies play a valuable role in delivering initiatives and projects to promote and develop sustainable careers in tourism and heritage to both young people and life-long learners.

Since 1994, The National Lottery Heritage Fund has invested in a range of projects to develop training and career opportunities in the heritage sector for people of all backgrounds.

Historic England’s approach to skills and employability in heritage is a tiered set of initiatives for both young people and lifelong learners. Programmes delivered across these tiers include the Heritage Schools programme, work experience and and T-Level industry placements, and specialist skills development programmes, including developing future leadership capacity within the heritage sector.

The Tourism Recovery Plan sets out our ambition for a more productive, innovative, and resilient industry, employing more UK nationals in year-round quality jobs. As part of this, the Government is investing £2.5 billion in the National Skills Fund until 2025 to help people gain skills to improve their job prospects, including in sectors such as hospitality.

The Hospitality & Tourism Skills Board will continue to pursue an employer-led, coordinated and proactive approach towards recruitment, retention and upskilling.