Local skills plan 2025 to 2028
This local skills plan for Devon sets out the key actions that sector stakeholders within the region are committed to delivering.
Created by using a range of insight and data, the plan reflects the current needs of education providers, employers and other key organisations in the sport and physical activity sector in Devon.
It aligns with broader regional strategies and initiatives to contribute to a healthy and active community supported by a representative, inclusive and skilled workforce.
The plan is divided into the following recommendations:
Develop education partnerships
Develop a pipeline of skilled candidates through strategic partnerships between local education providers.
Enhance training and development
Improve the quality and accessibility of training and development opportunities to meet local sector needs.
Strengthen networks
Strengthen support networks and provide a collaborative environment for all sector employees and employers – with a particular focus on sole traders, micro-enterprises and SMEs.
Enhance retention strategies
Increase sector workforce retention by improving career progression transparency and supporting continuous professional development.
Align with the health sector
Support preventive care with sport and physical activity through a well-qualified workforce.

Supported and funded by Sport England and the National Lottery

Your local workforce development manager
Meg Hurlock-Swan
meg.hurlock-swan@cimspa.co.uk
Local skills accountability board
The Devon Sport and Physical Activity Local Skills Accountability Board (LSAB) is a collaboration between employers, education providers and other skills and sector partners.
It is managed by the sector’s chartered professional body – CIMSPA. The project is supported and funded by Sport England.
The board’s work is now centered on delivering its sport and physical activity sector local skills plan – Devon: 2025-2028.
Board leads
Chair: Rhys Jones, Chief Operating Officer, Plymouth Active
Vice Chair: Dr Phil Brown, Associate Professor and Associate Dean, Plymouth Marjon University
Board member organisations
- Active Devon
- Active Torridge
- Anna FemFitness
- Argyle Community Trust
- B! Health and Fitness
- City College Plymouth
- Devon, Plymouth & Torbay Careers Hub
- Devon Chamber
- Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
- Exeter College
- LED Leisure
- Lex Leisure
- Mid Devon Leisure
- Plymouth Active
- Plymouth Marjon University
- South Devon College
- Street Games
- Teignbridge District Council
- University of Exeter Sport
- Vista Wellbeing
- YMCA Plymouth