GoSkills' new chairman makes retaining its licence under new skills commission top priorty

Nick Mitchell, newly appointed chairman of GoSkills, the sector skills council (SSC) for passenger transport, has made gaining re-licensing his top priority.

From April, the new Commission for Employment and Skills will take responsibility for overseeing the network of 25 SSCs. The future of each council is unclear, with every one having to reapply for a licence. The idea is to give the SSCs a new remit and ensure the supply of skills and qualifications is driven by employers.

Mitchell, a former HR director at transport operator Go-Ahead Rail Group and Virgin Trains, said he was looking forward to the challenge.

"We have a new commission coming into operation this year and it needs to know what we have achieved and what we plan to do in relation to the challenging Leitch skills agenda," he said.

"We must also ensure effective implementation of the sector skills agreement and continue to promote GoSkills' mission to be the first port of call on skills issues in passenger transport," he added.

Mitchell is now a consultant to the rail industry having retired from his full-time role at Go-Ahead last year.