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19/05/2016
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Sport England commits to CIMSPA and workforce development

Sport England has launched its new strategy today, Towards an Active Nation, with clear backing for the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity’s (CIMSPA) workforce development project.

Tara Dillon, chief executive of CIMSPA, said: “The new Sport England strategy is great news for sport and physical activity professionals. Not only does it direct funding into physical inactivity; it also reaffirms Sport England’s support for CIMSPA in professionalising the sector and delivering a workforce that is fit for purpose.”

“Working with Sport England, CIMSPA and its partners are developing a new workforce strategy with a clear skills framework for all roles and the provision of good quality CPD. This is crucial in creating a workforce that is equipped to tackle the high levels of inactivity in the country in line with the government’s Sporting Future strategy.

“Sport England’s ongoing support of CIMSPA is a clear endorsement of the achievements the chartered institute has made to date and reflects its confidence in CIMSPA’s abilities to shape a sport and physical activity workforce of the highest quality.”

The full strategy is now available here:

https://www.sportengland.org/activenation

Highlight: A new workforce strategy

The strategy section which is of most interest to CIMSPA members talks of “transforming delivery” of sport and activity services

  • It describes sport as a “people business” – 400,000 professionals who “shape the customer experience” of taking part.
  • The strategy’s goal is a skilled workforce who can break down the barriers that might stop people integrating regular exercise into their daily lives.
  • Sport England believes the sector’s workforce should be diverse and reflect the communities it represents.
  • Most importantly, the sector’s workforce needs to inspire confidence both in users, but also “in those we are seeking to influence”, such the the health sector.
  • The strategy also re-confirms a commitment to apprenticeships as an ideal route into the sector.


Sport England’s clear committment on workforce development

From the strategy:

WE WILL...

By the end of 2016, deliver a workforce strategy that will support Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) to become a strong and independently supported chartered institute. Together with CIMSPA, support the professionalisation of the sector workforce and

  • create a framework of skills
  • develop a career development pathway
  • provide sector staff with quality CPD to retain the most talented.