The plan aims to create a connected and data-informed sector with stakeholders who proactively engage with and serve Greater Manchester communities, supporting local residents to live well through education and access to physical activity and sport.
In collaboration with local employers, education providers, local authorities and employability-focused organisations, the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) have implemented a local skills plan for the sport and physical activity workforce in Greater Manchester.
Developed by the Greater Manchester Local Skills Accountability Board, the plan covers Manchester, Bury, Bolton, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside and Wigan for 2025-2028.
Sport and physical activity is proven to contribute to a more equal and productive society, due to its associated sociological, physiological and psychological benefits. With Greater Manchester remaining the lowest ranked of fifteen regions in the UK’s Prosperity Index, placing sport and physical activity at the forefront of local challenges is more important than ever.
The Greater Manchester Local Skills Improvement Plan sets out strategic priorities for the region, and has named creative, culture and sport as a key sector, as well as highlighting area-wide recruitment and training challenges.
The plan aims to support sport and physical activity provision in Greater Manchester to reflect the needs of the local communities that it serves, starting with addressing workforce skills gaps and challenges.
Local organisations across sport and physical activity, education and local government have collaborated to create this bespoke plan to Greater Manchester, which has three main recommendations:
- Highlight career opportunities that enable individuals from a wide range of backgrounds to join the sport and physical activity workforce.
- Address sector learning and development needs by connecting employers and education providers.
- Enhance the impact of Greater Manchester’s movement, sport and physical activity workforce through ethical practice, a data-led approach and alignment with professional status.
Dani Halsall, Workforce Development Manager for Greater Manchester at CIMSPA said:
“The completion of Greater Manchester’s sport and physical activity local skills plan marks an important milestone and demonstrates the power of collaboration, with stakeholders across the sector coming together around a shared vision.
“This collective effort not only strengthens the foundations of the sector locally, but also creates new opportunities to support communities, reduce inequalities, and enable more people to experience the benefits of working within our sector.”
Jon Keating, Head of Business Operations and Company Secretary at GM Active CIC, and Chair of the Greater Manchester Local Skills Accountability Board said:
“The Greater Manchester Local Skills Plan is a bold example of regional collaboration driving workforce growth. It champions physical activity and movement as key to our ambitions, building on Greater Manchester’s rich sporting heritage to upskill a workforce that empowers residents to thrive.
“From elite sport to everyday wellbeing, this plan positions movement and physical activity as catalysts for healthier, more active communities, with a workforce to support us all.”
Dr Eoin Murray, Head of Sport at University Academy 92 (UA92) said:
“The Greater Manchester Local Skills Plan recognises physical activity and movement not only as essential ingredients needed to support and enhance our communities’ health and wellbeing, but also outlines the crucial role education can, and needs to play.
“From elite performance programmes to inclusive, community-driven initiatives, the Local Skills Plan is placed at the heart of a dynamic ecosystem, that can support educators, students, and practitioners with the holistic development of healthier, more active communities, across Greater Manchester.”
Dave Smith, Director of Education, Competence at Wigan Warriors said:
“Our learners at Wigan Warriors Sports College will benefit hugely from a sector which knows what it wants and needs. Greater Manchester is working tirelessly for our communities to have ‘cradle to grave’ opportunities, it is important that the local workforce is afforded the same”.