Local skills plan 2025 to 2028
This local skills plan for the West of England 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 the West of England.
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:
Build relationships
Establish post-16 education pathways that forge strong relationships with the sector.
Improve career pathways
Develop clear, meaningful and ambitious career pathways that support recruitment and progression opportunities in our workforce.
Create a representative workforce
Create a workforce that is reflective of our diverse population and positively impacts the health and wellbeing of the communities we serve.
Upskill and retain
Share best practices and provide opportunities to upskill the existing sport and physical activity workforce to support long-term sustainability and retention.

Supported and funded by Sport England and the National Lottery

Meet your local workforce development manager
Toby Hodder
toby.hodder@cimspa.co.uk
Local skills accountability board
The West of England Sport and Physical Activity Sector 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 – West of England: 2025-2028.
Board leads
Chair: Alex Gaiger, Executive Director of Curriculum and Quality at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College
Board member organisations
- Bath and North East Somerset Council
- Bath College
- Bristol City Robins Foundation
- Bristol City Council
- Bristol Sport Foundation
- Circadian Trust
- City of Bristol College
- Coach Core
- Department for Work and Pensions
- Empire Fighting Chance
- Everyone Active
- GLL
- Indoor Cycling Institute
- North Somerset Council
- South Gloucestershire and Stroud College (SGS)
- Shine Wraparound Care
- Swim England
- University of Bath
- University of Bristol Sport, Exercise and Health
- Wesport
- West of England Combined Authority Careers Hub
- Weston College
Board geographical area
The West of England Local Skills Accountability Board area covers:
- Bath and North East Somerset
- Bristol
- North Somerset
- South Gloucestershire
