On the front-line and beyond

The CIMSPA Workforce Insight Report 2023 reports that as of 2022, the sport and physical activity workforce accounted for 586,000 jobs.

But what and where are those jobs?

Last Autumn, CIMSPA released the 2023 version of its Workforce Insights Report.

The report explored and analysed the shape, size and scale of the sport and physical activity sector post-pandemic, and how it needs to develop to meet future skills needs.

You can read the full report here but in a series of articles we will be exploring some of the insight themes shared in the report. We start with a look at sport and physical activity occupations.

The report found that our workforce is multifaceted and can be dissected into four components based on occupation and industry:

29% of the workforce is employed in a sport and physical activity occupation and is working in the sport and physical activity industry, for example a personal trainer working in a gym.

18% of our workforce is employed in a sport and physical activity occupation but is performing that role in another industry, for example a sports coach working in a school.

40% of our workforce is working in the sport and physical activity industry but in a non-sport and physical activity role, for example a finance manager working in a leisure centre.

And 12% of our workforce is working in a freelance role.

You can read more about how roles inside and outside the industry overlap on page 17 of the report.

Turning specifically to sport and physical activity occupations, the report analyses job numbers in the following occupations:

• Sports Coaches, Instructors and Officials
• Sports and Leisure Assistants
• Leisure and Sports Managers
• Fitness Instructors
• Sports Players

The following graph shows the composition of these occupations in 2022

Freelancing is continuing to play an integral role in the sector however it is one of the few areas of the sector that has been slower to recover to pre-pandemic levels, for example the number of freelance fitness instructor jobs has fallen by 13% since 2019.

When we look at those employed in the sector but in non-sport and physical activity occupations, we start to see the wide reach of our sector in terms of the work opportunities that it offers.

Hospitality and front-of house roles dominate non sport and physical activity occupational roles in our sector.

These include bar and waiting staff, kitchen assistants, and receptionists. Other large occupations that are typically quite heavily concentrated in sport and physical activity industries, including groundskeepers and greenkeepers, as well as leisure and theme park attendants.

You can find out more on page 28 of the report.

Download Workforce Insight Report

The benefits of working in our sector

Working in the sport and physical activity sector can offer a variety of benefits, both personally and professionally.

Passion and Interest: For anyone with a strong interest and passion for sports and physical activity, working in our sector allows you to align your career with your personal interests, making your career more enjoyable.

Health and Wellbeing: Being involved in the sports and physical activity sector often means staying active which contributes to your own wellbeing and enables you to promote a healthy lifestyle to others.

Diverse Career Opportunities: The sector offers a wide range of career paths, including coaching, management, fitness training, business related roles, and more. This broad range will enable you to find a vocation that aligns with your skills and interests.

Networking Opportunities: The sector thrives on collaboration and teamwork. Working in our sector provides a to network to other professionals and participants which can open doors to new opportunities.

Sense of Achievement: Contributing to the success of a team, helping people achieve their fitness goals, or helping to operate a successful business can provide a strong sense of achievement and satisfaction.

Community Impact: Our sector has the power to bring communities together. Working in the sector allows you to make a positive impact on the community by promoting physical activity, teamwork, and creating a sense of belonging.

Personal Development: The challenges of the sector contribute to personal and professional growth. Whether it’s overcoming difficulties, developing leadership skills, or learning to adapt to changing situations, the sector offers you great development.

Innovation and Technology: The sector is continuously evolving. Being innovative and embracing new technology allows you to stay at the forefront of these changes, contributing advances in participant engagement, equipment, and training techniques.

Flexibility: With numerous positions available on a part-time basis, and in a variety of locations, the sector is highly appealing for anyone looking for flexibility in the way that they work.

To find out more about careers in our sector, visit our Careers Hub here.