Mayor launches online CV for London pub workers

Mayor of London Ken Livingstone yesterday launched an online CV system to help workers in the pub trade sell themselves to employers.

The Skills Passport allows staff to build up a record of their experience and allows employers to gain access to it via the internet. The mayor hopes this will encourage more people into tourism and leisure jobs ahead of the 2012 Olympic games.

Livingstone said: "For the next few years leading up to the 2012 Games and beyond London will be the focus of the world. We are expecting a huge increase in the many millions of tourists who currently visit our capital from abroad and from around the UK and we must grasp the opportunity to ensure we offer a first class welcome to everyone - a welcome they will never forget.

"But we must all continue working together to ensure that we give all Londoners the skills they need so they too can benefit from the 2012 Games and make a real contribution to the capital's economic prosperity.

The passport also allows people to research careers, development, employers, training providers and jobs.

It can be used nationwide under the UK Skills Passport scheme, which was prepared by People1st, the sector skills council responsible for the hospitality sector.

In London the passport forms part of a 10-point plan to improve the leisure sector. Other points in the London Skills Strategy include launching a customer service campaign and developing management.

For more details on the UK Skills Passport visit www.people1st.co.uk/uk-skills-passport