S+PA Workforce Observatory – September 2025
Strategic workforce questions
Following a comprehensive consultation with industry and academic leaders, CIMSPA has compiled a detailed list of the most pressing workforce related questions that have shaped CIMSPA’s Areas of Research Interest (ARIs).
The areas of research cover a range of key workforce themes:
- Occupational supply and demand
- Digital, data and AI capability in the workforce
- Equity, diversity and representation in the workforce
- Pay, contracts and ‘Good Work’
- Workforce wellbeing, safety and sustainability
- Place-based workforce targeting and incentives
- Management and leadership pipeline, governance and progression
- Qualifications and pathways coherence
All questions align to CIMSPA’s core priorities for the workforce:
Workforce planning
The ability to plan for and attract a future workforce ready to deliver what the sector needs
Workforce development
Equipping the current workforce with the knowledge, skills and competencies required
Workforce management
Supporting and protecting both the workforce and users with high quality sport and physical activity experiences
CIMSPAs ARIs set out the key themes and questions that we encourage collaboration, new research and learning on. Complete the expression of interest form at the end of this page to get involved.
Workforce planning
- What roles will be most in-demand, and how does recruitment align with this demand?
- What are the future skills and knowledge the workforce needs?
- What are the upcoming sector opportunities?
- What are the key occupational development needs, and how prepared is the workforce for advancement into next-step roles?
- What are the regional differences in workforce needs, and how can recruitment be tailored to these local contexts?
- What are the sector’s predicted learning and development needs and skill shortages over the next 5 years?
- What new skills are emerging as critical due to technology and data-driven decision-making within the S&PA sector?
- What trends are impacting workforce supply, such as education pipelines and industry interest among new graduates?
- How can we ensure the workforce reflects the demographic diversity of society?
- How does the S&PA workforce impact broader economic and social outcomes?
- What are the motivations and barriers of the workforce affecting recruitment and retention?
- What are the perceptions and the confidence levels of the SMEs/self-employed workforce?
Workforce management
- What are the typical demographic trends, including age and diversity, within the S&PA workforce?
- How do pay and conditions vary across the sector, and how does this impact recruitment and retention?
- How effective are the current strategies in attracting current talent into S&PA careers?
- How does workforce wellbeing vary across different sectors, and what are the most effective strategies for supporting the mental and physical health of the workforce?
- How does the current working environment influence job roles, satisfaction, and productivity in the sector?
- How inclusive and supportive is the sector in accommodating employees with diverse needs?
- What are the primary barriers for underrepresented groups within workforce participation and leadership roles?
- How effective are personal development budgets in meeting individual workforce goals?
- How effective are employer’s development budgets in meeting organisational goals?
- Does investing more in workforce development, wellbeing, and support lead to:
- higher participation rates and
- greater profitability for organisations in the SPA sector?
Workforce development
- How effective are current learning and development pathways, and how accessible are they to all workforce members?
- How can qualifications and career paths be aligned with employer needs to ensure workforce readiness?
- How do S&PA qualifications complement S&PA academic qualifications, and what is their value in the workforce?
- How can we deliver qualifications and training to meet the demands of the sector?
- What competencies are required to meet future S&PA sector needs?
- How do employees perceive workforce culture, and what factors impact job satisfaction and retention?
- What are the primary factors influencing job longevity, particularly in management roles?
- What skills and qualifications are critical for effective career progression across various roles?
- What is the employer’s perceived competency level of employees?