Sport England invests in CIMSPA – sector reactions
Thursday 13 September saw CIMSPA announce that Sport England is investing £1.2m over 21 months to enable CIMSPA to contribute to the workforce development goals of Sport England’s 2016 Towards an Active Nation strategy.
Here’s a quick review of reaction to the announcement from across the sector:
Sport England and government
Sport England were first out of the gate with a news story outlining how their investment “will transform the delivery of sport and physical activity services and help create a well-trained and highly skilled workforce for the sector”.
New opportunities, training and apprenticeships – we’re backing @cimspa with £1.2m to develop sector workforce: https://t.co/E61B6D2N24 pic.twitter.com/rVovrEWyBa — Sport England (@Sport_England) September 14, 2017
As the news spread on social media other senior figures at Sport England and in government were quick to follow with their their own congratulations and perspective on the investment backing. Phil Smith, Director of Sport at Sport England focused on the emerging profession our sector is growing into.
If you work in sport, @cimspa is your chartered institute. Similar to others in accountancy, marketing, etc. Membership growing fast. https://t.co/DrzH2SQNOX — Phil Smith (@philsm) September 14, 2017
Whilst Executive Director of Commonwealth Games Delivery Unit and former DCMS Head of Sport, Nick Pontefract reiterated how CIMSPA “can be pivotal in implementing a core part of #SportingFuture strategy.”
This is great news, @cimspa can be pivotal in implementing a core part of #SportingFuture strategy. https://t.co/uZfULmB1KX — Nick Pontefract (@Nick_DCMS) September 14, 2017
ukactive
ukactive published their response to the funding announcement immediately with their CEO, Steven Ward, welcoming Sport England’s backing and committing to work with CIMSPA to embed our professional and apprenticeship standards into sector life.
Thank you to ukactive for all their support over the past 3 years – they have been a hugely important partner in raising the profile of the contribution sport and physical activity makes to UK society.
Thx to @_ukactive for their continued support of our workforce improvement project – a great partner to work with! https://t.co/vvxBIJ7CAt pic.twitter.com/s6NIyvGAsp — CIMSPA (@cimspa) September 14, 2017
CIMSPA partners
Many of our employer and skills development partners generously added their congratulations to the news.
Excellent news for the sector! Persistence and commitment from the whole team paid off, well done - NOW it’s your turn! https://t.co/O1iQUoZqSP — Leisure-net (@_Leisurenet) September 14, 2017 Mark Tweedie, chief executive of employer partner Active Tameside described the backing as a “giant leap” for our sector and James Duncan, who has been a driving force in getting Fusion Lifestyle staff into membership, followed up with his congratulations. Our latest skills development partner, Katy Tuncer from Horizon37, believes that “This investment will have an impact for decades to come, in the sports sector and beyond.”
Symbolic strategic step for public investment & giant leap for @cimspa & our sector - well done @Taraldillon & team https://t.co/o9jD4mtpWh — Mark Tweedie (@mark_tweedie) September 14, 2017
Great news for @cimspa and the sector at large with this cash injection. Looking forward to us all reaping the benefits! #workforce #S&PA https://t.co/fASgy3yujZ — James Duncan (@JamesDuncan2309) September 14, 2017
This investment will have an impact for decades to come, in the sports sector and beyond. Congrats all! — Katy Tuncer (@KatyTuncer) September 14, 2017 SOSA Dance Fitness echoed the positive response.
Huge congratulations @cimspa on securing @Sport_England investment #industryleaders #transformingfitness #fitfam https://t.co/hllYTjeTiW — SOSA Dance Fitness (@SOSAFit) September 15, 2017
Members and sector professionals
But, we were of course most excited to see so many members commenting on, retweeting and spreading the announcement.
No better time to be a member #CPD opportunities galore https://t.co/lX8rb8EsdC — Julian Bennett (@julianbennett7) September 14, 2017
Delighted to announce as Chair of @cimspa the partnership with @Sport_England for the sector ... https://t.co/LJkMDP4RLh — Andy Reed (@AndyJReed_OBE) September 14, 2017
Great news @cimspa: https://t.co/wp3xDgdNzz — Karen Stanton (@missverybusy) September 14, 2017
This very significant step forward opens the door to our future but only if everyone working in the sector now joins us and commits to it. — Martyn Allison (@grobykid) September 14, 2017
It’s good work so far and much needed @cimspa @StreetGames https://t.co/hSPYmj8Lbn — Rus (@RusSmith0907) September 15, 2017
CIMSPA’s goals – a reminder
Sport England’s investment will enable delivery of key aspects of the chartered institute’s current four-year strategy.
- CIMSPA will work closely with government to:
- Ensure apprenticeships are embedded into the workforce,
- Develop professional membership pathways for new and emerging job roles
- Represent the views of those working in a growing sport sector.
- CIMSPA will also:
- complete the sector’s professional standards matrix,
- create career pathways for individuals to enter and progress within the sector
- provide the industry with quality assured training.
Sport England’s backing confirms CIMSPA as the sector lead for professional workforce development and a key partner for government and its agencies and demonstrates Sport England’s commitment to increasing physical activity. nationwide.